Thiago Alcantara – Bayern Munich and Spain

Thiago was destined for great things early in his career. Check out this Talent Scout from November 2011.

Welcome to our player profile on Thiago Alcantara, the Spaniard playing at German giants Bayern Munich. he will undoubtedly play a role at the World Cup later this year, but for now take a look at his Talent Scout from November 2011.

Talent Scout (November 2011) 

Spain’s resounding 6-0 victoryat home to Liechtenstein in September may have secured their place at next summer’s European Championship in Poland and Ukraine, but that was not what most excited the Spanish fans.

Qualification was, of course, good news, but it was always expected. Better news came with the introduction of second-half substitute Thiago Alcantara

Although he had made his debut in a friendly against Italy less than a month earlier – after which Mario Balotelli described him as the “greatest” of all Spain’s players – a first competitive game for the midfielder born in Italy to Brazilian parents ended all arguments over where his international future lay.

Vicente Del Bosque’s decision to fast track the youngster into the seniors felt like a political move to ward off his other suitors, but no one questioned the reasoning behind such a ploy. During the summer, Thiago had scored a wonderful goal in the Final as Spain won the Euro Under-21 Championship and Del Bosque’s plan to secure his future was considered the correct one.

But there is now a feeling Thiago Alcantara may end up playing an important role on the national stage earlier than anyone had expected. He is certainly doing so at Barcelona, where coach Pep Guardiola sought to bring him through slowly last season.

Progression: Guardiola was careful how to use Thiago early on in his career (Getty Images)

Combining his first-team duties with games for Barcelona B, he made just six starts last term, and when Cesc Fabregas arrived during the summer some wondered if that might arrest Thiago’s development.

Guardiola, however, is very conscious of the need to allow for a logical progression within the Barca midfield, completing cycles without having to rush players through. Xavi is aged 31, while Andres Iniesta is 27. The addition of 24-year-old Fabregas and Thiago completes the pattern, and they have played assiduously so far – and they have done so together.