Luis de la Fuente says Spain’s current midfield stands with any in football and believes his options can be compared with the country’s celebrated 2010 group. Speaking before Spain’s World Cup last-16 match against Portugal, he framed that confidence as an opinion rather than an objective ranking.
The Spain manager pointed to the depth around players such as Rodrigo, Martín Zubimendi, Fabián, Pedri, Dani Olmo, Mikel Merino, Baena and Gavi, while noting that Fermín is absent through injury. His comments suggest Spain’s self-belief is built not only on star quality but on having multiple profiles available for each midfield role.
De la Fuente was especially warm about Pedri, describing him as a rare technician who can make difficult actions look simple. On Lamine Yamal’s potential duel with Nuno Mendes, he said the winger has grown since earlier meetings and should focus on playing with personality and enjoyment.
The interview also showed the quieter side of tournament management. De la Fuente said choosing squads is the hardest part of his job, praised Borja Iglesias for staying ready and raising standards, and returned several times to respect as a guiding value. For Spain, the message before Portugal is clear: talent matters, but so do selection discipline, maturity and the collective environment around the players.
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