Spain coach opens World Cup door for Guti

Spain coach Vicente del Bosque believes there may be a place for Real Madrid midfielder Guti in his World Cup squad after the 33-year-old’s return to form.

A sublime backheel by Guti set up French striker Karim Benzema to score against Deportivo La Coruna at the weekend, winning him praise in the Spanish media just weeks after he appeared to be out of favour with Real coach Manuel Pellegrini.

Guti himself said he still hopes to play for Spain in the World Cup in South Africa despite his age and the strong competition for midfield places.

“What he said is good,” Del Bosque told the sports daily Marca on Tuesday. “That means he’s motivated. The door is open to his joining the squad. I look at a player’s current form.”

A product of Real’s youth system and one of the longest-serving members of Real’s squad, Guti has 15 caps for Spain but last played for the national team in 2005.

He did not feature for Real for more than two months following a bust-up with Pellegrini during the club’s embarrassing 4-0 Spanish Cup defeat against third-division side Alcorcon on October 27.