Michu: Laudrup key to Spain call-up
9th October
Michu has hailed Michael Laudrup's influence as the main reason behind his first international call-up.
The Swans star has been added to Spain's squad for their upcoming World Cup qualifiers with Belarus in Majorca on Friday and Georgia in Albacete three days later.
His inclusion in the current European and world champions' squad comes as a mark of his form since Laudrup brought the Spaniard to South Wales last year in a £2million deal from Rayo Vallecano.
With 22 goals in his first season at the Liberty, Michu has continued his form this year with five goals in 13 games.
And the 27-year-old was quick to point out the massive role Laudrup has played in his Spanish call-up.
"It's because of Michael Laudrup that I am here," said Michu, who was officially called up just hours after Sunday's Premier League defeat at Southampton.
"He is one of the best managers I have ever worked with in my life."
Michu has quickly made his mark since joining up with the national squad, having found the net in his first practice session with Real Madrid's Iker Casillas between the sticks (see video below).
And the Swans star has been soaking up all the advice on offer throughout the squad, with Chelsea's Juan Mata a particular source of information.
"It is very difficult, it is a high level," added Michu, who will wear shirt No.7 in David Villa's absence. "In my first training Juan Mata told me 'the ball flies' here.
"I feel like I am annoying Juan Mata as I am always asking him about the training and the new experience.
"Mata is helping me a lot, I know him very well. I can't describe the feeling when I went into the pitch wearing the shirt of the best team of the world.
"But it is very easy to play with all these players. The players who are in the squad are the best in the world and they're at the maximum level.
"There is a lot to learn from them and obviously they make you play better at a higher level.
"For all footballers, to play for your country is the best. It is the biggest achievement in my career. I came here to enjoy and to try to qualify for the World Cup.
"I was quite nervous but now I am enjoying every training. If I have the chance to play, it will be good. I will be very happy if it happens."
Michu's call-up was hailed by fellow club-mate and Spanish international Pablo Hernandez on Tuesday.
And current international colleague Mata has also expressed his delight of Michu's inclusion.
Mata said: "I am really happy for him. He is doing really well in Swansea and scoring a lot of goals. It is very difficult to do what he's done.
"He is adapting to the training and the team very fast and he is already scoring."
