Alonso set to join centurions club against French

Spain midfield veteran Xabi Alonso is looking forward to winning his 100th cap in their Euro 2012 quarter-final against France - becoming just the fifth member of La Roja’s ton-up club.

Goalkeeper Iker Casillas leads the way and will win his 135th cap against the French in Donetsk on Saturday at the comparatively young age, for a shot-stopper, of 31.

Casillas, in 2009, surpassed the 126 appearances of retired previous record holder and fellow keeper Andoni Zubizarreta.

Xavi Hernandez, 32, will take his tally to 113 caps against the French while strike legend Raul made it to 102 before being edged out of the squad after the 2006 World Cup as then coach Luis Aragones revamped the squad for a successful Euro 2008 campaign.

Barcelona defender Carles Puyol, 34, missed this summer’s tournament through injury and is stuck for now on 99 caps while striker Fernando Torres is already at 96 appearances at age 28.

Real Madrid defender Sergio Ramos could also soon join the cap centurions, as he already has 89 under his belt at just 26 and could therefore one day pose a threat to Casillas’s total.