Spain Euro 2012: Alvaro Arbeloa Does the Right Thing in Promoting Team Unity

Alvaro Arbeloa denies the existence of any division within the Spanish Euro 2012 squad between Real Madrid and FC Barcelona players. The denial (which was published in ESPN Soccernet) may be a reply to the declarations by Xavi Hernandez about Real Madrid players on the eve of the Euro 2012 tournament.

Arbeloa continued to say that all of the members of the Spanish Euro 2012 squad know that country comes before clubs in this and other tournaments. He went on to say that the goal of Spain is to win Euro 2012 after overcoming the group matches, quarter and semifinals as well as the finals..

Arbeloa does the right thing in promoting unity for the Spanish Euro 2012 squad in response to the declarations by Hernandez. It was needed at a time when the media was beginning to harp on the supposed internal divisions including Sergio Ramos and Gerard Pique.

It is also refreshing to read news from Bettor about Ramos denying any rift with Pique. What Hernandez did was inappropriate and potentially dangerous for any club that seeks unity in vital tournaments.

It damages team morale and creates a climate for losing matches and breaking the fans' heart. I personally consider such declarations by a player before a match as an act of treason against the country or club.

The reason is that such negative comments and attitudes from the player harden the resolve of the opposing team. It helps them defeat the team during the match.

What is needed more than ever is for Spain to present a unified front in all of its matches. The whole world will be watching, studying, evaluating and commenting about Spain instead of the different clubs of La Liga BBVA.

The attitude of Arbeloa should help diffuse whatever tension that lingers in the squad. The last thing Spain needs is for a player or group of players to stroke tensions within the team with negative comments and attitudes.