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I’ve learned a lot about watching Spain train at four successive tournaments – little clues that help you decipher how the players are feeling, who is in form, and how the team might change from one game to the next. Almost without fail, one guy trains harder and longer than the others – it’s Iker Casillas.

I met Pepe Reina to talk about Spain’s chances at the World Cup in Brazil – he may have only played for 90 minutes of their three wins, but he’s one of the key behind-the-scenes influencers in Vicente Del Bosque’s squad.

How do Spain produce so many talented, grounded footballers? Let’s look at the production line that helped mould Xavi, Iniesta, Silva and Torres, and learn about the rules of the factory floor.

Spain returned from winning Euro 2008 to a heroes’ reception in the capital Madrid. Thousands filled the city’s Plaza Colon to greet the squad, but it was Pepe Reina who took centre stage.

I met Jamie Carragher in Madrid recently – we were both chasing an interview with Xavi. It was a pleasure to talk with Jamie about Spanish football’s influence at Liverpool, and in England … and about Xavi.