Martin Zubimendi is once again tasked with anchoring the Spanish national team’s midfield as head coach Luis de la Fuente looks for stability in the absence of Rodri.
The Real Sociedad graduate has become the primary tactical alternative to the Manchester City star, a role he has previously filled with notable success during his teammate’s extended recovery periods.
Following the serious injury Rodri sustained on September 22, 2024, Zubimendi served as the natural replacement, featuring in 12 of Spain’s next 13 matches. During that stretch, which included 11 starts, the team recorded 10 victories and two draws. This performance reaffirmed his ability to maintain the squad’s structural identity even when the primary starter is unavailable.
Zubimendi’s role in the national setup is not merely a reactionary choice. He remains one of only two players, alongside goalkeeper David Raya, to be included in every squad called up by De la Fuente since the manager took charge.
The coach has publicly praised the midfielder’s professional development and work rate, at one point describing him as the “second best footballer in the world in his position, only behind Rodri.”
He transitioned to the senior side easily, appearing in the second half of the 2024 European Championship final. He started five of Spain’s six matches during the recent World Cup qualification campaign, missing only the final fixture against Turkey after the team had already secured its advancement.
Despite his reduced role in London, Zubimendi has acknowledged the difficulty of competing with the world’s top-ranked player in his position. “I’m not silly and I know the context I’m in,” he stated recently. “I’m in the best national team in the world, with the best defensive midfielder in the world ahead of me.”
With Rodri sidelined, the tactical requirement for Spain remains unchanged. The team does not seek an exact mirror of the Barcelona-born midfielder, but rather a player who understands the positional mechanics and can ensure the collective engine continues to function. Zubimendi is expected to return to the starting lineup for the upcoming international window, which includes matches against the Czech Republic and England.
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