Thiago's talent helps steer Spain on an even keel

MADRID - Barcelona and Spain have been searching for a player to hold their teams together like glue, orchestrating the midfield as Xavi Hernandez used to do for club and country.

Bayern Munich midfielder Thiago Alcantara seems the natural heir to Xavi, who left Barcelona in 2015 after retiring from international duty the previous year.

Although manager Julen Lopetegui has made the 25-year-old Thiago a key cog in Spain's midfield, it is significantly harder for Barcelona to bring back its former player.