Barcelona midfielder Sergi Busquets has hit out at Rafael van der Vaart after the Dutchman's criticism of Spain's style.

"Spain are horrible, I hope we play them," Van der Vaart had said, adding that they didn't have any player who could make a difference.

Busquets has now responded, blasting the former Real Madrid midfielder.

"When you use adjectives like that, you lose any meaning," the Barcelona midfielder told Mediaset.

"I don't understand why he, as a former player, talks like that for a moment of fame or glory.

"I think it's shameful.

"He's left himself out to dry, I could discredit him even more as a person, for various clashes I had with him in his career that everyone remembers, but I'm not going to do it."

Spain face Slovakia to secure qualification from the group stages of the tournament on Wednesday.