Espanyol forward Roberto Fernández has earned his first senior call-up to the Spain national team under head coach Luis de la Fuente, marking a rapid ascent after a strong start to the domestic campaign that has yielded six goals.
Speaking to media at the Ciudad del Fútbol in Las Rozas, Fernández addressed his maiden international selection ahead of Spain’s upcoming fixture against England at Wembley. The 24-year-old from Puente Genil, Córdoba, reflected on a nomadic career path that has taken him through Córdoba, Sevilla, Málaga, Barcelona, and Sporting de Braga before finding stability in Catalonia.
“One always dreams, when you start scoring goals, that Luis de la Fuente will call you,” Fernández said, acknowledging the milestone. He added that the national team boss kept his initial message straightforward: “Basically, he told me to be myself. To keep doing everything just like at the start of this season, which is what has brought me here. To enjoy it, to learn.”
An Unexpected Bond and Club Gratitude
Fernández joined Espanyol midway through the 2024–25 campaign, finding a welcoming environment after a testing spell abroad in Portugal. He was quick to credit the historic club for backing him during a difficult professional phase.
“It is an honor to represent a club like Espanyol, which gave me all the confidence when I was having a regular time in Braga,” Fernández noted. He also expressed admiration for his new international teammates, noting the intense atmosphere generated by players like Marc Cucurella, the distribution of Pedri, and the goalscoring instincts of Mikel Oyarzabal and Ferran Torres. “They are the world champions, they have all surprised me,” he said.
De la Fuente’s Continuous Squad Expansion
Fernández and defender Iván Fresneda stand as potential debutants for La Roja against England, tracking to become the 53rd and 54th players handed their senior debuts by De la Fuente since he took charge. The head coach has consistently expanded the national talent pool since taking the reins following a transition period that began in late 2021 and 2022, rewarding early-season domestic form across various clubs.
Looking ahead to Saturday’s challenge at Wembley, Fernández emphasized that the squad is keeping its focus fixed on continuous improvement rather than past laurels. The fixture represents a chance for the Espanyol forward to turn the page on a prior defeat to England during his time with Spain’s Under-21 side.
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