SBOTOP : Spain Coach Hails Martin Zubimendi as the World’s Second-Best Midfielder

Spain’s 2026 FIFA World Cup victory has sparked plenty of discussion, but one of the biggest talking points after the final came from head coach Luis de la Fuente. Following La Roja’s historic triumph over Argentina, the veteran manager delivered remarkable praise for Arsenal midfielder Martin Zubimendi, calling him the second-best midfielder in world football.

While Manchester City captain Rodri received the Golden Ball award after leading Spain to World Cup glory, De la Fuente made it clear that Zubimendi remains an essential figure for the national team despite his limited playing time throughout the tournament.

His comments have quickly fueled debate among football fans, with many wondering whether Zubimendi is now ready to establish himself as one of the game’s elite midfielders.

Spain Celebrate Another Historic World Cup Success

Spaincompleted an unforgettable World Cup campaign by defeating Argentina in the 2026 final, adding another prestigious trophy to their growing collection.

The victory highlighted the strength of Luis de la Fuente’s squad, which combined experienced leaders with emerging stars.

Several players delivered outstanding performances during the tournament, but Rodri stood above the rest.

The Manchester City midfielder captained Spain throughout the competition and was rewarded with the Golden Ball after consistently controlling matches from midfield.

His leadership, composure, and tactical intelligence proved crucial as Spain overcame some of the world’s strongest teams on their road to the championship.

Luis de la Fuente Delivers Huge Praise for Martin Zubimendi

Although Rodri received most of the headlines, Luis de la Fuente surprised many by placing Martin Zubimendi directly behind his captain in the global midfield rankings.

Speaking during an interview with TVE, later quoted by Metro, the Spain manager strongly defended both midfielders.

He said that questioning Rodri’s influence on Spain showed a lack of football understanding before offering another extraordinary compliment.

According to De la Fuente:

1. Rodri is currently the best midfielder in the world.
2. Martin Zubimendi ranks immediately behind him.
3. Spain possess two of football’s finest midfielders.
4. Both players remain central to Spain’s long-term project.

Those comments underline the enormous confidence De la Fuente has in the Arsenal midfielder despite his limited minutes at the World Cup.

Limited Playing Time Does Not Reduce His Importance

Unlike Rodri, Martin Zubimendi did not enjoy a major role during the tournament.

The former Real Sociedad midfielder made only one appearance, coming off the bench during extra time in the World Cup final after replacing Rodri.

For some observers, those limited opportunities raised questions about his status within the national team.

However, De la Fuente dismissed any suggestion that Zubimendi had become less important.

Instead, he emphasized that every player had a specific role throughout the competition and that squad management remained essential during such a demanding tournament.

His comments suggest that Zubimendi’s value extends well beyond the minutes he spends on the pitch.

Rodri’s Recovery Was Carefully Managed

Another important point raised by De la Fuente involved Rodri’s physical condition.

The Spain coach revealed that the technical staff had followed a detailed recovery plan throughout the World Cup.

Rather than rushing the Manchester City midfielder back to full intensity, Spain gradually increased his workload from match to match.

According to De la Fuente:

“We knew we had to follow the process and the schedule we had planned. Rodri improved from one game to the next.”

He also made another striking statement by suggesting that even when Rodri was only operating at around fifty percent of his best condition, he still outperformed many other midfielders around the world.

That confidence ultimately proved justified as Rodri finished the tournament with the Golden Ball award.

Why Zubimendi Could Thrive at Arsenal

De la Fuente’s public endorsement also comes at an exciting time for Martin Zubimendi’s club career.

After joining Arsenal, expectations surrounding the Spanish midfielder have increased significantly.

His playing style appears well suited to Premier League football because he offers several valuable qualities:

1. Excellent positional awareness.
2. Calm decision-making under pressure.
3. Accurate passing over short and long distances.
4. Strong defensive discipline.
5. Intelligent control of match tempo.

Those attributes have already made him one of Spain’s most trusted midfielders and could help him become an influential player at Arsenal.

If he adapts quickly to English football, the praise from De la Fuente may soon look fully justified.

Spain Coach Condemns World Cup Final Incident

During the same interview, Luis de la Fuente also addressed the controversial scenes that unfolded after the World Cup final.

Following the final whistle, reports emerged of an altercation involving members of Argentina’s players and coaching staff.

Although the Spain manager admitted he did not immediately notice what had happened because events unfolded rapidly, he later expressed strong criticism.

He insisted that such behavior has no place in football regardless of the circumstances.

At the same time, De la Fuente was careful to separate the incident from his respect for Argentina as a football nation.

He praised both Argentina’s talented players and their coaching staff, saying he believed they were also disappointed by the unfortunate scenes after the match.

A Bright Future for Spain’s Midfield

Spain’s latest World Cup victory once again demonstrated the country’s remarkable strength in midfield.

With Rodri continuing to perform at an elite level and Martin Zubimendi developing into one of Europe’s most complete midfielders, La Roja appear well equipped for future international tournaments.

The combination of experience and tactical intelligence gives Spain a midfield capable of controlling matches against any opponent.

De la Fuente’s Confidence Speaks Volumes

Luis de la Fuente’s decision to describe Martin Zubimendi as the world’s second-best midfielder may sound bold, but it reflects the immense trust he has in the Arsenal star.

Despite playing only a limited role during Spain’s successful World Cup campaign, Zubimendi remains one of the coach’s most valued players behind captain Rodri.

As Arsenal prepare for the 2026/2027 season, supporters will be eager to see whether Zubimendi can transform that international reputation into consistent Premier League performances. If he succeeds, De la Fuente’s glowing assessment may soon be viewed not as an ambitious opinion, but as an accurate prediction of one of football’s next midfield superstars.