Gerrard good enough for Spain, says Real Madrid star

Real Madrid star Xabi Alonso has revealed he thinks his former-Liverpool teammate Steven Gerrard would be good enough to get into the Spain midfield, if he was eligible.

The World Cup winners and double European Champions won Euro 2012 last summer, and are widely regarded to have one of the most talented midfields of all time.

But Alonso, who spent five years playing alongside Gerrard at Liverpool, says his old club-mate would be good enough to command a place in Vicente Del Bosque's team.

"Absolutely, there's no doubt," Alonso told Real Madrid TV. "He could play in any national team in the world because he has so many great qualities. He is flexible. He can play at the English pace or he can associate with the ball very well.

"He is a very intelligent player, so he could play anywhere - not just any national team but any club in the world. But he has been a one-club man and that's something I really admire."

With Xavi, Andres Iniesta, Cesc Fabregas, David Silva, Sergio Busquets, Alonso and Santi Cazorla all competing for a place, the England midfielder would face stiff competition for a starting berth in the Spanish midfield. Gerrard made his 600th appearance for Liverpool last weekend as Brendan Rodgers's side drew 1-1 against Newcastle at Anfield.

The Reds skipper also captains England, and has 99 caps for his country, but was part of Roy Hodgson's Euro 2012 squad that ultimately crashed out at the quarter-final stage in Ukraine and Poland.

The Liverpool captain is likely to miss his side's Europa League fixture against Anzhi on Thursday, as will Luis Suarez, ahead of the Reds' crunch match against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge next weekend.