Luis de la Fuente Defends Rodri Amid Criticism
Luis de la Fuente did not bother to hide his irritation. One game into Spain’s World Cup campaign, one frustrating 0-0 draw with Cape Verde, and the spotlight had already swung onto Rodri as the supposed problem.
For the Spain coach, that idea is nonsense.
The Manchester City midfielder has been accused of slowing Spain’s play, of clogging transitions, of turning a dynamic side into something more ponderous. After a stalemate that felt like two points dropped, the narrative formed quickly: Rodri the brake, not the engine.
De la Fuente went on air to smash that theory to pieces.
“Highly insulting” criticism
Speaking to El Partidazo de Cope, the Spain boss bristled at the suggestion that Rodri is damaging his team’s style, questioning how such a conclusion could even be reached.
“Good heavens, please. For you to say things like this,” he snapped, clearly stung by the line of criticism. “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 defence. Just a straight declaration: Rodri, in his eyes, is at the very top of the game.
De la Fuente doubled down, insisting that even a below-par Rodri still sits in rarefied company.
“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 said. “And with us, he's a player of exceptional importance, with fantastic clarity and vision, balance. Rodrigo is a guiding light for us.”
The message was unmistakable. Spain might have misfired in front of goal, but the coach is not about to redraw his blueprint around the man who knits his side together.
A wider grievance: how Spanish stars are judged
De la Fuente’s defence of Rodri quickly broadened into something bigger: a complaint about how Spanish players are treated in the global conversation.
He suggested that the kind of scrutiny aimed at his midfielder would not be directed at other elite names in the same way.
“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 argued. “But since they're Spanish, and you can say things about our players that you don't say about others.”
It was a pointed observation, and one that revealed as much about the manager’s mindset as his tactical thinking. He sees a group under harsher inspection than their peers, and he is ready to step into the line of fire for them.
Spain’s opening draw has already ignited debate about rhythm, tempo and identity. De la Fuente, though, has drawn one clear line: any inquest will not start with Rodri.
