Spain head coach Luis de la Fuente has declared Arsenal-linked midfielder Martin Zubimendi the “second-best midfielder in the world” behind Rodri after Spain’s victory over Argentina in the 2026 World Cup final.
De la Fuente made the remarks in an interview with TVE, underlining the depth of Spain’s midfield options even though Zubimendi logged limited minutes during the tournament. According to the source material, Zubimendi made a single substitute appearance — replacing Rodri in the first half of extra time in the final — yet remained, in the coach’s view, one of the tournament’s outstanding performers.
Why the comment matters to UK readers
For British audiences, particularly Arsenal supporters, the endorsement from Spain’s coach casts a spotlight on a player associated in reporting with the club and speaks to how international success reshapes reputations back home. De la Fuente’s framing also highlights the hierarchy within Spain’s midfield: Rodri retains the captaincy and the tournament’s top individual honour, while Zubimendi is positioned as an elite deputy.
“With all due respect, and I don’t mean to offend anyone, I said that doubting Rodri was an insult to football intelligence... He’s the best player in the world in his position, knowing that we have Martin Zubimendi behind him, who is also another great player, surely the second best in the world.”
De la Fuente stressed that the squad followed a set process and that roles evolved during the competition. He praised Rodri’s influence — noting the midfielder’s Golden Ball award and captaincy in the final — while also recognising Zubimendi’s importance despite limited playing time.
Context and consequences
- Rodri captained Spain to victory over Argentina and won the Golden Ball as the tournament’s best player.
- Martin Zubimendi made one substitute appearance, replacing Rodri in extra time of the final, yet was singled out by De la Fuente as world-class.
- The manager’s comments may feed club-level debate over player valuation, selection and recognition following international tournaments.
De la Fuente also addressed scenes of confrontation after the final, describing the behaviour he saw as intolerable. He said events unfolded quickly and condemned violence and unacceptable conduct involving Argentina’s players and staff.
| Player | Role in Final | Manager’s assessment |
|---|---|---|
| Rodri | Captain; played and won Golden Ball | “Best player in the world in his position” |
| Martin Zubimendi | One substitute appearance (replaced Rodri in extra time) | Described as “surely the second best in the world” |
For British football, international tournaments often recalibrate player reputations and market perceptions. Public praise from a national team coach can affect both a player’s standing among supporters and discussions at club level. De la Fuente’s comments reinforce Spain’s midfield strength while inviting scrutiny of how tournament minutes correlate with perceived quality.
As clubs and pundits digest Spain’s triumph, the spotlight on players such as Zubimendi will intensify — whether that leads to changes in club deployment, transfer speculation or renewed conversations about squad roles remains to be seen.
