Luis de la Fuente Defends Rodri Amid Criticism in World Cup

Luis de la Fuente did not bother to hide his irritation. One game into Spain’s World Cup campaign, with a flat 0-0 against Cape Verde already fuelling doubts, the national coach was asked whether Rodri is slowing his team down.

He bristled.

To De la Fuente, questioning Rodri’s influence is not just a tactical debate. It is an insult.

Speaking to El Partidazo de Cope, the Spain boss pushed back hard at the suggestion that the Manchester City midfielder is clogging Spain’s transitions or blunting their attacking edge after that goalless opener at the 2026 World Cup.

“Good heavens, please. For you to say things like this,” he snapped, clearly stunned that the criticism had gathered traction. “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.”

That phrase was no slip of the tongue. De la Fuente doubled down, framing Rodri not just as a key cog, but as the standard-bearer for his entire side.

“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.”

The message was unmistakable: Spain will live or die in this tournament with Rodri at the heart of their game. Not around him. Not in spite of him. Through him.

The draw with Cape Verde has already stirred familiar arguments about Spain’s tempo, their possession-heavy approach and whether their control comes at the cost of incision. Rodri, as the metronome in front of the back line, has inevitably become the lightning rod for that frustration.

De la Fuente, though, sees a different picture. In his eyes, even a below-par Rodri remains one of the elite midfielders on the planet, a player whose positional sense and passing range give Spain the structure they need on the biggest stage.

The coach did not stop at defending his midfielder. He turned the conversation outward, suggesting that Spanish stars carry a weight of scrutiny that others escape.

“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 to the narrative forming around his team after just one match. For De la Fuente, the criticism says more about the lens through which Spain are judged than about Rodri’s performance levels.

Spain now head into their second group game with questions swirling about cutting edge, imagination and risk. On one issue, though, there is no doubt inside that camp: Rodri will stay at the centre of everything they do.