Spain Coach Praises Rodri as One of the World’s Best Midfielders for the 2026 World Cup

Spain head coach Luis de la Fuente defended midfielder Rodri, calling recent media criticism of the Manchester City player insulting.

After Spain’s 0‑0 draw with Cape Verde in their opening match of the FIFA World Cup 2026, Rodri faced sharp criticism in the Spanish press for allegedly failing to increase the tempo.

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In the 87th minute, Rodri was substituted by Nico Williams as Spain chased a winner; he had recorded a game‑high 134 touches and completed 116 of 126 passes, more than any other player.

When responding to claims that Rodri’s passing was too slow and had stalled the attack against Cape Verde, De la Fuente replied, “Good heavens, please. For you to say things like this. Some people can say one thing or another.”

Despite the criticism, De la Fuente stressed that Rodri remains the squad’s “guiding light,” offering essential vision, balance, and tactical clarity. He reiterated that the 2024 Ballon d’Or winner is still the best player in the world.

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“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%. And with us, he’s a player of exceptional importance, with fantastic clarity and vision and balance. Rodrigo is a guiding light for us.”

Rodri is the heartbeat of both Manchester City and the Spain national team. His unmatched ability to dictate tempo, break up opposition attacks, and recycle possession makes him arguably the most influential holding midfielder in modern football.