Catalan players such as Gerard Pique, Carles Puyol and Xavi have been pivotal for the rise of Spain in recent years, with La Roja emerging as international football's dominant force following victories at the 2010 World Cup and the European Championships in 2008 and 2012.
Now, after Sunday's Catalonia independence referendum - where voters were asked whether they wish Catalonia to become an independent republic, away from Spain - the international futures of players from the region could be cast into the spotlight.
Catalonia already boast a representative side, which has been playing friendly matches, outside of FIFA jurisdiction, for over a century.
But the state of Catalonia is not a member of either FIFA or UEFA, and - should independence ever be granted - would need to be accepted into the associations should they ever seek to take part in a World Cup or Euros.
Then, Catalan nationals who have already played for Spain or other international countries could be allowed to represent the region, in a similar manner to those who switched allegiances to join Kosovo after they gained independence.
Here, with some help from Press Association Sport, we take a look at what a first XI of locally-born players could look like:
Kiko Casilla
- Real Madrid, 1 Spain cap
A Solid goalkeeper, but the ex-Espanyol stopper is currently playing second fiddle to Keylor Navas at Real Madrid.
Hector Bellerin
- Arsenal, 3 Spain caps
The Arsenal full-back has made the right-back slot his own at the Emirates, but is down the pecking order with La Roja.
Gerard Pique
- Barcelona, 91 Spain caps
The Barcelona centre-half was a mainstay in the side that won the 2010 World Cup and 2012 European Championships, but is not widely adored across Spain due to his views on Catalan independence.
Jordi Amat
- Real Betis, uncapped
The 25-year-old former Espanyol defender has previously played twice for Catalonia. He's currently on loan from Swansea at Real Betis.
Jordi Alba
- Barcelona, 55 Spain caps
The flying left-back scored Spain's second in the 4-0 demolition of Italy in the Euro 2012 final; long-time first choice for club and country.
Sergio Busquets
- Barcelona, 99 Spain caps
The lynchpin at the heart of the Spain midfield, even moreso since Xavi Hernandez and Xabi Alonso exited the international stage.
Sergi Roberto
- Barcelona, 3 Spain caps
The versatile, all-action midfielder-cum-fullback has grown at Barcelona, but hasn't featured for Spain since November 2016.
Xavi Hernandez
- Al Sadd, 133 Spain caps
For so long the poster-boy of tiki-taka as Spain dominated the world. Now playing in Qatar in the twilight of his career.
Cesc Fabregas
- Chelsea, 110 Spain caps
The Chelsea midfielder has been an important figure for La Roja for over a decade.
Keita Balde
- Monaco, 15 Senegal caps
The 22-year-old left Lazio for Monaco in a £20million-plus deal during the summer. Came through Barcelona's academy having been born in Girona.
Bojan Krkic
- Alaves, 1 Spain cap
Bojan earned his one and only Spain cap in 2008 after a meteoric rise at Barcelona, but currently the Stoke forward is on-loan in La Liga with Alaves.
Coach: Pep Guardiola
- Manchester City, 47 Spain caps
The Santpedor-native has hit out at the violence in Catalonia over the weekend; the most successful manager the region has ever produced.