Barcelona manager Pep Guardiola has revealed that Xavi could miss Spain’s (4/1 to win the World Cup) World Cup campaign after aggravating a calf injury on Saturday night.

The 30-year-old was a doubt for Barca’s game with Villarreal on Saturday after picking up a knock in the defeat to Inter Milan in the Champions League on Wednesday night.

Despite the problem Xavi played on and was once again one of the stars for the Catalan side as they beat the Yellow Submarine 4-1, Xavi scoring one and creating two others.

Victory for Barcelona moves them four points clear at the top of La Liga with fellow title contenders Real Madrid (1/8 to Beat Osasuna in the match betting) not in action until Sunday night.

However, after the game Guardiola revealed that Xavi has a 3cm tear in his calf which could rule him out of the World Cup.

“Xavi’s playing with an injury that could see him miss the World Cup,” said Guardiola. 

Xavi was instrumental to Spain’s success in Euro 2008 and was voted player of the tournament after a string of fine displays helped his nation break their major tournament duck.

Xavi’s midfielder partner Andreas Iniesta is also a doubt for the World Cup with a thigh problem meaning Spain could potentially be without two of their star men.

While Spain coach Vincent de Bosque has plenty of able deputies to choose from the influence of Xavi and Iniesta is likely to have a massive bearing on the nation’s hopes of winning their first world crown.