De la Fuente defends Rodri amid Spain’s World Cup struggles
Spain manager Luis de la Fuente has defended captain Rodri following criticism after their draw with Cape Verde, while addressing player fitness ahead of the Saudi Arabia match.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0 / Author: Rolandhino1
Reigning European champions Spain began their 2026 World Cup campaign with a frustrating scoreless draw against tournament debutants Cape Verde. Following the opening round, all four teams in Group H remain level on one point each.
The sluggish start triggered backlash in the Spanish media, with critics questioning the tactical decisions of manager Luis de la Fuente and the performance of captain Rodri. The Manchester City midfielder was accused of slowing down the team's tempo, a claim that his manager dismissed firmly in an interview with Cadena COPE:
«I find it incredibly insulting that people say such things about the best player in the world. Rodri is our inspiration. Even at 50% fitness, he is better than most other midfielders in the world». Luis de la Fuente
Questions also arose regarding the usage of Lamine Yamal, who made a substitute appearance in the 71st minute as he continues to recover from an April muscle injury. De la Fuente remained coy regarding whether the Barcelona starlet would start against Saudi Arabia, stating that the decision depends on game flow and opponent fatigue.
Regarding concerns over the fitness of players like Nico Williams and Mikel Merino, the manager insisted there is no cause for panic. He pointed to his management during Euro 2024, where a recovering Dani Olmo eventually became the tournament's top scorer, as evidence that his rotation strategy works.
Spain faces Saudi Arabia on June 21 at 19:00, with de la Fuente’s side looking to secure their first victory of the tournament to boost their group standing.