Spain full-back Jordi Alba reportedly threatened to rip off a journalist's head after his side ended their World Cup campaign in Brazil with a victory over Australia.

The Barcelona player is said to have confronted Javier Gomez Matallanas, who writes for Spanish newspaper AS, in the mixed zone after leaving the Arena da Baixada following Monday's 3-0 win over Australia.

According to The Guardian, while walking through the mixed zone, Alba said to the reporter: "Next time I'll rip your head off."

After Matallanas expressed his shock, Alba continued: "Yes, yes, next time ... I'm warning you."

The Barcelona star is believed to have continued his exchange with Matallanas while the team boarded a flight back to their homeland from Brazil, accusing the reporter of being a 'grass'.

Matallanas told radio station Onda Cero: "I have no idea why. I have not written anything about him. I don't remember writing anything about him at all."

The reigning champions were booted out of the World Cup after losing their first two group games of the tournament.