There will be no old pals act from Giovanni van Bronckhorst on Sunday as he looks to end his career in spectacular style by lifting the World Cup.
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Holland's encounter with Spain means a reunion with a number of familiar faces for the Dutch skipper who, during his four years at Barcelona, got to know Xavi, Andres Iniesta and Carles Puyol.
The 35-year-old remained in contact after he quit the Nou Camp in 2007, but the texts have been silenced as with a World Cup to win, and he said: "My boyhood dream is something more important so they will have to make do with a silver medal this time."
Van Bronckhorst is full of admiration for the trio, adding: "Carles is normally a very quiet boy but when he goes onto the field it is like pressing a button.
"He is a guy who always gives everything, a real Gladiator. And that radiates forward to his team-mates.
"When I was Barcelona, Xavi was one of the leaders of the group. He always had an opinion, whereas Andres was very quiet.
"I have thought about those guys a lot recently. But now I have the opportunity to be a world champion."
Source: PA
