PEPE REINA has told those trying to copy Spain's slick style of play: "You'll never be good enough."
Spain are world and European champions, while Barcelona have won the Champions League three times in six years with a squad that is largely made up of Spanish internationals.
Liverpool keeper Reina, who has been named in the squad to play England on Saturday, said: "We have found a great generation of players the same age.
"It is not always possible to play our way. It depends on the player and the team and depends on the philosophy you have.
"But not everyone can play as we do because no one has the quality of players we have."
Reina has followed in his father's footsteps in terms of becoming a world-class goalkeeper.
His dad, Miguel, played for Barcelona and Atletico Madrid in the 1960s and 1970s.
Last week, Miguel saw his Barca record for the most minutes without conceding a goal — 824 — broken by Victor Valdes, who is one of Spain's top trio of keepers, along with Reina and long-time No 1 Iker Casillas.
The form of Real Madrid captain Casillas has meant Reina has been limited to just 23 appearances for his country since making his debut in August 2005.
Reina played only one match in Spain's triumph at Euro 2008 and did not get on the field for the World Cup in South Africa two years later.
But he hopes to play against England in the country where he has established a reputation as one of the best keepers in the world.
He said: "Any time you go with the national team you want to win, and every time you play England it is a special game.
"The international team has 23 important players but only 11 can start.
"So we have to take that chance when it comes along if you are lucky enough to be there.
"In my case it has been an absolute pleasure. We are the champions of Europe and the world.
"To be world champions with my national team is a dream come true and the target of any footballer."
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Rank | Team | W/D/L | Pts |
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Cities & Stadiums
The Top 3 Teams of Previous Tournaments
Year | Winners | Runner-up | Third place |
---|---|---|---|
2008 | Spain | Germany | Russia / Turkey |
2004 | Greece | Portugal | Netherlands / Czech Republic |
2000 | France | Italy | Netherlands / Portugal |
1996 | Germany | Czech Republic | France / England |
1992 | Denmark | Germany | Netherlands / Sweden |
1988 | Netherlands | Soviet Union | Italy / West Germany |
1984 | France | Spain | Denmark / Portugal |
1980 | West Germany | Belgium | Czechoslovakia |
1976 | Czechoslovakia | West Germany | Netherlands |
1972 | West Germany | Soviet Union | Belgium |
1968 | Italy | Yugoslavia | England |
1964 | Spain | Soviet Union | Hungary |
1960 | Soviet Union | Yugoslavia | Czechoslovakia |