Barcelona Players on International Duty This Week

FC Barcelona are once again about to become a chief victim of the FIFA virus.

The ridiculous scheduling of international friendlies just a few days before the start of the La Liga season sees a number of first teamers in action.

The Spaniards in the team will be hardest hit.

Not only will they have an 11,000 mile round trip to Ecuador to contend with, but they will also have to play at altitude.

Lionel Messi knows firsthand just how hard that particular trip will prove.

It is a nonsensical and preposterous way for these players to prepare for their match against Levante, yet FIFA's thirst for these friendlies show no sign of abating. 

Let's take a look at where in the world Barca players will be pitching up during the week.

Alexis Sanchez

Barca's front man is in the squad for Chile's match this week against Iraq.

Were it to be played at home—a round trip of almost 14,000 miles—then conservative estimates would suggest a flight time of almost 14 hours.

Given the readjustment required to allow for time zones and rest, it's unlikely Alexis would've been able to report back for Barcelona's first team training until Friday evening at the earliest.

Luckily for Barca and the player, and somewhat bizarrely for the rest of us, the game has been scheduled to take place at the Brondby Stadium in Copenhagen, Denmark.

Lionel Messi, Javier Mascherano

Barcelona's two Argentinian internationals also thankfully only have have a short journey to undertake this week.

Gerardo Martino will surely be counting his blessings that Lionel Messi and Javier Mascherano don't have a home friendly fixture to contend with.

A short hop to Italy will not present the manager with fatigued players come the latter part of the week, and a fresh and fully prepared Messi should run riot against Levante.

Italy will present formidable opposition of course, even with nothing at stake.

Is there really such a thing as an international friendly when teams such as these two, and the calibre of player within either squad, is involved?

Perhaps the only worry for Martino will be that of injury to either player. With no defensive signing yet made, the potential loss of Mascherano would probably be more keenly felt.

Neymar, Dani Alves

Switzerland provide the opposition for the Brazil on Wednesday.

With the Samba stars in town, you can be fairly sure that the Swiss will do their utmost to unsettle the fluid passing and movement that the Selecao are likely to bring to the party.

Neymar has enjoyed a fruitful preseason with Barcelona, his goal against a Malaysia XI giving a glimpse of just why Barca were so keen to secure his services.

Dani Alves continues to do what Dani Alves does best.

Patrolling the right side with his usual tenacity and verve, expect the right back to bomb forward at every given opportunity in this match.

As with Barca's other South American contingent playing in Europe this week, the only possible concern to emanate from this game will be that of players returning to Camp Nou injured and therefore unavailable.

The Spanish Contingent

By far the biggest headache for Gerardo Martino is Spain's trip to Ecuador.

Cesc Fabregas has already been ruled out (per fcbarcelona.com) with an ankle injury sustained in Barcelona's preseason friendly against a Malaysia XI.

There are still another four players who will make the trip.

Victor Valdes is unlikely to start but will still travel whilst Jordi Alba will take up his usual left back position.

Andres Iniesta is included whilst Cristian Tello would probably have hoped for a better game in which to have received his first senior call up.

The youngster has been praised this week by Vicente Del Bosque. Marca.com report the manager as saying that "Tello is a unique player and his speed gives us other options."

He will have to use his energy wisely, given how much the altitude will take out of him and the rest of the squad.

Del Bosque certainly wants the match to be taken seriously, telling Marca:

"

We have a responsibility. Due to our recent successes, our football is admired and we cannot let this game become a mere formality.

We're going to do a good job. ... It's also good for the players, for those who have a heavier workload with their clubs.

We'll try and make it do them some good ahead of the start of the upcoming season.

"