Luis de la Fuente Defends Rodri Amid Criticism After World Cup Draw
Luis de la Fuente is in no mood for a midfield inquest.
Barely days into Spain’s 2026 World Cup campaign and with a frustrating 0-0 draw against Cape Verde still raw, the national coach has moved swiftly – and fiercely – to shut down the idea that Rodri is holding his team back.
The Manchester City midfielder has come under fire after Spain failed to break down stubborn opposition in their opening game, with critics accusing him of slowing transitions and blunting the attack. De la Fuente, speaking to El Partidazo de Cope, didn’t just disagree. He bristled.
“Good heavens, please. For you to say things like this,” he snapped, clearly stunned by the line of questioning. “Some people can say one thing or another, but in any case, I find it highly insulting to say that about the best player in the world.”
No caveats. No gentle diplomacy. For De la Fuente, Rodri is non‑negotiable.
“Rodrigo is the best player in the world, and even at 50% he's much better than most midfielders in the world. Even at 50%,” he insisted. “And with us, he's a player of exceptional importance, with fantastic clarity and vision, balance. Rodrigo is a guiding light for us.”
That word – “guiding light” – tells its own story. While sections of the debate have focused on tempo and verticality, De la Fuente sees something else: structure, control, and a player he believes sets the standard for his position.
The pressure after a goalless World Cup opener is familiar territory for Spain. When the goals dry up, the microscope usually swings straight to the midfield, the team’s traditional nerve centre. This time, though, the coach is pushing back against what he views as an old, tired narrative, sharpened by the identity of the player in question.
Beyond the tactical argument, De la Fuente turned the discussion towards what he feels is a double standard in how Spanish players are treated compared to other global stars.
“Would they dare say that about other players who are also considered among the best in the world? Would they dare? I don't think so,” he said. “But since they're Spanish, and you can say things about our players that you don't say about others.”
It was a pointed challenge, not just to pundits dissecting a single game, but to the broader culture around the national team. Spain have built an era-defining identity on midfielders like Rodri. De la Fuente is making it clear he has no intention of tearing that foundation up after one stalemate.
The criticism will linger until Spain start scoring. The coach, though, has nailed his colours to the mast: his World Cup will run through Rodri, whether the outside noise likes it or not.
