Spain captain Iker Casillas has denied any rumours of rifts between the Real Madrid and Barcelona players.

Many players within Spain's starting lineup play for either one of the La Liga giants, but the two sides seemed at loggerheads during much of last season as a lot of their meetings were fraught with simmering on-pitch tension.

Casillas revealed that members of the two teams were not on good terms last year and admitted that, had the tournament been played then, it may not have produced the best working environment.

However, the Real goalkeeper said that those problems are now behind them and they are united in the cause to retain their European Championship title in Poland and Ukraine.

"Players from Real Madrid and Barcelona were not on good terms last year," admitted Casillas. "It would have been problematic if the tournament had been played then.

"But this year has been good. We are going to play the maximum we can. We play for our club sides and there can be moments of confusion. But now there is a strong motivation for all of us. We look positively as we play for the national team."

Spain open their defence against Italy later today.