Spain were worthy winners of Euro 2024, having won all seven of their matches in Germany. Several players stood out for their excellent performances, such as Lamine Yamal, Dani Olmo and Fabian Ruiz, although much of the credit should also go to Luis de la Fuente, the man behind the masterplan.
De la Fuente has now won each of the first two international tournaments of his tenure (2022-23 UEFA Nations League, Euro 2024), and during a recent interview with Marca, he revealed why his Spain side were so good at this summer’s European Championship.
“First there must be conviction because I saw that football was heading in another line of behaviour and action. It is essential to know the players, play them in the right positions, and give them the confidence to obtain the best possible result.”
As mentioned, many Spain players stood out for their excellent performances, but one that came under fire was captain Alvaro Morata. De la Fuente dismissed any criticism of the 31-year-old, whom he hopes will continue with La Roja for many years to come.
“I agree with him, he is a footballer who lacks affection and recognition from the fans. If he were a player from another country, he would be a legend. We have to vindicate our players because the Spanish footballer is, for me, one of the best in the world. Morata should get much more recognition for his career. I hope he stays with us for a long time because he still has a lot to give to Spanish football.”
