Para mí el Balón de Oro fue una felicidad extraordinaria,
Luis de la Fuente said after winning the award for the world’s best manager as Spain prepares to wrap up its year.
Spain Prepares for the Final Nations League Qualifiers
The Spanish national team is closing out the year of its second star with a pair of UEFA Nations League qualifying fixtures against the Czech Republic and England. Head coach Luis de la Fuente has named a 27-player squad for the fixtures, opting once again to carry four goalkeepers in his matchday group.
De la Fuente opened his squad announcement by paying tribute to Jesús de Miguel. A veces le damos mucha importancia a cosas que no la tienen. Lo importante son las personas y las echamos de menos cuando no están,
the manager stated, adding that the best tribute to a player is remembering him on the pitch.
Jacobo Ramón Joins Squad as David Raya Manages Personal Matters
Jacobo Ramón stands out as one of the major new names in the roster. De la Fuente confirmed that he is enjoying a strong club season, noting that está haciendo una gran campaña y creemos que es el momento oportuno para verle.
The squad also features goalkeeper Álvaro Valles as part of the four-man keeping contingent. Explaining the selection, De la Fuente noted that David Raya is managing personal matters in England, creating uncertainty over his availability for Tuesday or Wednesday. The manager added that Valles has been monitored for some time, clarifying that if Raya had been in conditions, the squad would have brought Unai, David, and Joan.
In midfield, the absence of Rodri places increased responsibility on Martín Zubimendi. Despite a lack of regular playing time at Arsenal, Zubimendi retains full backing from the technical staff. Yo veo en Zubimendi a alguien que trabaja muy bien y que sigue mejorando. Martín va a venir fresquísimo a estos partidos,
De la Fuente explained. Meanwhile, Ander Barrenetxea comes into the squad for the wide positions, while Víctor Muñoz misses out.
De La Fuente Shifts Player Minute Limits for Key Matches
During the previous international window, which featured four matches, De la Fuente implemented a strict 270-minute ceiling for individual players. That policy will shift for the upcoming fixtures as Spain targets group leadership.
Esta vez nadie va a jugar nadie más de 180 minutos. Bueno, seguramente algo más porque se alargan ahora los partidos. Son dos partidos clave en el que nos jugamos mucho. La idea es sacar a los mejores en los dos partidos,
De la Fuente stated. He acknowledged the ongoing challenge of balancing physical demands with competitive necessity, noting that squad rotation remains secondary to securing first place in the group and advancing to the quarterfinals.
Squad Management Decisions on Gavi
Gavi misses out on the squad for the second window following the World Cup. De la Fuente emphasized that the player retains his full confidence despite missing the cut.
Gavi siempre merece una excepción. Es muy difícil entrar en este grupo. Gavi debe seguir siendo él. Tiene que seguir mejorando, como todos,
the coach said. Addressing his broader management style, De la Fuente defended his direct approach to player communication. Para mí es fundamental. Creo que dentro de un marco de convivencia, el nivel está en no ser ni más ni menos duro. La mayor contundencia es decirle lo que piensas de él. Ser sincero para sacar su mejor rendimiento,
he noted.
Preparations for the 2030 World Cup Final
Asked about remarks from Alberto Núñez Feijóo regarding Spain potentially pulling out of hosting duties if the country does not secure the 2030 World Cup final, De la Fuente kept his focus strictly on sporting matters. Lo que yo pienso es que la final del Mundial se debe jugar en España. Ahora, mi ocupación es preparar el mejor equipo. Lo demás, que se encargue el que corresponda,
he stated.
Earlier coverage: Luis de la Fuente calls up 27 players for Spain's Nations League matches
