Spain could crack under the mental pressure of expectation at next year's World Cup finals in South Africa, says Wigan's Spanish-born manager Roberto Martinez.
As reigning European champions and as the new world number one team in the FIFA rankings, Spain are rightly being lauded as potential winners.
However, Spain's World Cup record is appalling, earning them the reputation of underachievers as they have never progressed beyond the quarter-finals since finishing fourth in 1950.
Assessing the tournament ahead of tonight's draw, Martinez said: "I feel the World Cup is more open than people think.
"First and foremost I'm looking at teams that haven't been given much respect like Serbia and Slovakia, who had great qualifying campaigns.
"You look at the African teams playing in South Africa, who will have a little extra boost, a little extra confidence, a little bit of a feel that they're playing at home.
"Then you look at Brazil and Argentina, the latter I believe has the best squad of players in world football, but as a team they have not clicked yet."
Looking at his fellow countrymen, who enjoyed a perfect qualifying tournament in winning all 10 games, Martinez added: "I believe the expectations are going to put us under massive, massive pressure.
"Yes, we've a great formula football-wise, they're different to anyone else, and we've very talented players.
"But it's the first time they're going to the World Cup with the favourites label attached to them, and mentally that is going to be very, very tough to handle."
However, Spain's World Cup record is appalling, earning them the reputation of underachievers as they have never progressed beyond the quarter-finals since finishing fourth in 1950.
Assessing the tournament ahead of tonight's draw, Martinez said: "I feel the World Cup is more open than people think.
"First and foremost I'm looking at teams that haven't been given much respect like Serbia and Slovakia, who had great qualifying campaigns.
"You look at the African teams playing in South Africa, who will have a little extra boost, a little extra confidence, a little bit of a feel that they're playing at home.
"Then you look at Brazil and Argentina, the latter I believe has the best squad of players in world football, but as a team they have not clicked yet."
Looking at his fellow countrymen, who enjoyed a perfect qualifying tournament in winning all 10 games, Martinez added: "I believe the expectations are going to put us under massive, massive pressure.
"Yes, we've a great formula football-wise, they're different to anyone else, and we've very talented players.
"But it's the first time they're going to the World Cup with the favourites label attached to them, and mentally that is going to be very, very tough to handle."
Copyright (c) Press Association
Related Articles
Spain complete golden summer with victory over France
Spain, Sweden set for high pressure World Cup semi
