Spain manager Luis de la Fuente has declared his side possess the best midfield in the world as they prepare for a World Cup last-16 tie against Portugal in Dallas.
Speaking at the Cotton Bowl the morning after Cape Verde’s impressive display against Argentina, De la Fuente expressed supreme confidence in his engine room ahead of Tuesday’s knockout encounter. The 62-year-old believes technical superiority will be vital against their Iberian neighbours as Spain seek to progress beyond the group stage.
Selection Headaches
Despite his bullish assessment, De la Fuente admits the toughest aspect of managing Spain is choosing who plays. He acknowledged that omitting deserving footballers causes him the greatest difficulty, noting that every player in the squad merits inclusion.
The manager illustrated his point by revealing how close Borja Iglesias came to featuring in the group stage. De la Fuente explained he had planned to introduce both Iglesias and Martín Zubimendi during the victory over Austria, only for the flow of the match to force a change of plan. “This is a group of players who are ready to compete in the moment in which they are needed,” he noted.
Pedri the Magician
Among those certain to feature is Pedri, whom De la Fuente described as a “magician” capable of retaining possession in impossible situations. The Barcelona midfielder has become central to Spain’s tactical approach, with the manager attributing his ball retention to “quality, talent, technical ability” rather than fortune.
Teenager Lamine Yamal also features prominently in De la Fuente’s plans as Spain aim to replicate their 2010 World Cup triumph.
Integration and Respect
De la Fuente highlighted the diverse backgrounds within his squad—including players such as Lamine Yamal, Marc Cucurella, Mikel Oyarzabal and Pedro Porro—as evidence of football’s power to unite. “Football is a reflection of society,” he stated, calling the sport “a powerful tool for unity” and “an agent for integration.”
The manager revealed that “respect” is the word he uses most frequently with his players. “With respect as the starting point, you can build anything,” he explained.
De la Fuente recalled watching Andrés Iniesta’s famous winning goal in the 2010 final as his most powerful World Cup memory, describing how his family would gather in their Haro home to support the national team. Now, 15 years later, he hopes to create new memories in Texas by guiding Spain past Portugal and into the quarter-finals.