De la Fuente slams critics in stern Rodri defence
Spain coach Luis de la Fuente believes Rodri is still the best player in the world and has hit back at criticism of his sta man's performance against Cape Verde in a 0-0 draw at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The European champion went into the tournament as favourite, but was held to a shock goalless draw by the FIFA World Cup debutant in their opening Group H match.
After the stalemate, UEFA Euro 2024 player of the tournament Rodri came in for stern criticism in the media back home in Spain for a perceived failure to up the tempo.
He was replaced by Nico Williams in the 87th minute as Spain desperately chased a winner.
De la Fuente has jumped to the defence of the former Ballon d'Or winner, who he believes is still the best player on the planet.
"It seems incredibly insulting to me that people would say that about the best player in the world," De la Fuente said.
"Would people say that about others who are considered the best in the world? I think they wouldn't dare.
"But because they're Spanish, we say things about our own that we wouldn't about others. Rodri is the best player in the world.
"Even at 50 per cent, he is better than most other midfielders in the world. He brings clarity, vision, balance. Rodri is an inspiration for us."
De la Fuente only introduced star winger Lamine Yamal from the bench in the 71st minute of the Cape Verde game, after his club season was cut short by a hamstring injury.
Spain faces Saudi Arabia in its second match on Monday (AEST), needing a victory to remain in control of the group going into the final matchday, but there are no guarantees that the Yamal man will start.
"We'll evaluate it. Games are decided in the second half. You don't win many games in the first 45 minutes," De la Fuente added.
"We'll assess it, whether it's best for us for him to start, or whether to take advantage of the opponent's tiredness in the final minutes, when Lamine is decisive. It will depend on the state of the game.
"They [the injured players] will arrive in the moment we need them. On Sunday [Monday AEST], they'll get more minutes, and in the third game against Uruguay, they'll be even better.
"In the last [UEFA] Euros, Dani Olmo came in with an injury. He could have stayed at home. We decided to risk him. Olmo came, he recovered, and he was top scorer. Nobody remembers that now, but I do."
