Overview
- On Tuesday Spain coach Luis de la Fuente said he had expected Rodri to sign for Real Madrid at one point during the summer transfer saga but the midfielder ultimately chose Barcelona.
- De la Fuente welcomed the return of top Spanish players to LaLiga and said having elite talent play in Spain raises the league’s standard and helps the national team.
- The coach said Rodri can coexist with Pedri for Spain but stressed that Pedri’s role will change depending on his midfield partner and that managers must adjust positioning and duties.
- De la Fuente praised teenager Lamine Yamal for showing ambition and maturity after the World Cup and said he expects the winger to be noticeably better in four years’ time.
- He argued that several Spaniards — naming Rodri, Pedri, Fabián and Míkel Oyarzábal — merit Ballon d’Or consideration and suggested domestic visibility could strengthen their cases.