Jordi Alba has defended Barcelona teammate Gerard Pique for accepting selection with Catalonia.

Gerard Lopez's charges will play their first ever FIFA sanctioned match during the current international break when they face Venezuela in a friendly.

Both Pique and Xavi Hernandez are set to be involved after accepting their respective call-ups.

"I'm sure Gerard [Pique] has his reasons for playing with the Catalan national team," Alba explained in his pre-match press conference.

"I've not spoken to him about it, but he decided to leave the national team and now wants to play for Catalonia.

"They have one game a year and he will want to play."