Luis de la Fuente, coach of the Spanish men’s football team, appeared this Friday in Las Rozas (Madrid) to present the squad for Spain’s games against Georgia (8th) and Cyprus (12th), which are the qualifying matches for Euro 2024 correspond news from Barcelona’s young promise, Lamine Yamal. However, the focus initially wasn’t on the pitch. De la Fuente acknowledged the criticism he received for applauding Luis Rubiales during the meeting in which the now-suspended president of the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) refused to resign for attacking player Jenni Hermoso during the celebrations had kissed the Women’s World Cup. “I received harsh criticism. I think they absolutely deserved it, I regret it, I understand it and I apologize. “These are facts that cannot be justified,” said the coach. “I have the trust of the RFEF leaders and therefore must remain in office. “I have no reason to resign,” he added.
Luis de la Fuente, coach of the Spanish men’s team, was intrigued by Barcelona’s young promise: Lamine Yamal. The 16-year-old from Barcelona, who surprised Xavi Hernández in pre-season in the USA, took advantage of Raphinha’s suspension and secured a place in Barça’s starting eleven. Now it’s the red’s turn. “He is an exceptional footballer, he is touched by this magic wand of God. Is different. I never look at age, but at ability and category. “I think he is ready,” said De la Fuente, who presented the squad for Spain’s games against Georgia (8th) and Cyprus (12th) as part of the Euro 2024 qualification.
Yamal wasn’t the only one who made the jump: Abel Ruiz and Baena also made it to the senior national team. Laporte is also moving on after his move to the Saudi League. “Laporte is in a very good moment. We are certainly in a period of change. Certainly many footballers will end up in Arabia in the future. Every call will be a different case.” The coach already knows that he cannot count on Jordi Alba, who announced his departure from the national team but signed Yamal. The Barcelona youth player had the opportunity to stay in Morocco. “I knew he wanted to come,” explained De la Fuente, “he had shown that in the other categories.” Like in the Spanish league, where he became the youngest debutant in a game against Betis.
He was only 15 years, 9 months and 16 days old when he set the record for precocity. And he has already shown ways to secure a place at FC Barcelona, which is no longer available after Dembélé’s departure. And only in the dilemma with Raphinha’s ownership situation. With the selection of Luis de la Fuente, he prematurely became the youngest player to be included in the senior team, overtaking his teammate Gavi. He jumped from the U17 class to the top.
Before its debut it was forged in La Masia. Lamine was born in Esplugues de Llobregat in 2007 to a Moroccan father and a Eucatorium-Guinean mother, but lived in Granollers and Mataró. He began his foray into the Barça facilities when he was just seven years old and his journey through La Masía never went unnoticed. He burned stages without regretting it. He attracted attention at a young age for his sophisticated technique and sophisticated handling of the ball. A left-hander with a colorful dribble and the ability to play as a winger with his leg altered on the right side. When Xavi arrived from Qatar, he kept an eye on Lamine. I was only 13 years old. “You can see that he is a special player and can become very big. He is a differentiated player, he is not afraid of anything on the last pass, he has innate talent. He can shape the future of the club,” said Xavi about the young winger, who had earned his trust in pre-season.
This season he has already established himself as a first-team regular in two of the three games against Cádiz and Villareal. In the last game he made the field his game. A game in which he hits the ball in search of the goal and provides assists, with dribbling and speed. Xavi was fascinated. And also the fans. Luis de la Fuente took note of this and the name Lamine Yamal has only just begun to resonate in the stadiums.
De la Fuente: “I was shocked”
The Spanish coach returned to Las Rozas, the place where he applauded Rubiales’ controversial speech last Friday. A day later, on Saturday, when the former president of the federation was provisionally suspended, De la Fuente “unreservedly rebuked the incorrect and inappropriate behavior of the president.”
It didn’t take long for De la Fuente to make statements this Friday. Right at the beginning, when question time had not yet started, the Spanish coach explained: “Given the social impact of my applause, I would like to use this space to explain the situation there.” I received harsh criticism. I think they absolutely deserved it, I regret it, I understand it and I apologize. These are facts that cannot be justified. We thought we were at a farewell ceremony for a leader. “I was not prepared, I sincerely apologize,” said the coach.
De la Fuente repeatedly explained the reason for his reaction. “When I saw myself in the pictures, I didn’t recognize myself,” he said. And immediately afterwards he added: “I didn’t feel betrayed by Luis Rubiales, but I came with the idea that there would be a resignation meeting and I was shocked to see that that wasn’t the case.” What What I’m trying to point out is the context. I was overwhelmed, I didn’t know how to cope and I couldn’t control my emotions. And he emphasized: “I’m sorry I was wrong, it was a human error in a stressful situation.”
The technician assured that he had not called Jennifer Hermoso. But he recalled: “I stand on the side of equality and respect. We all need to do better when it comes to equality, and I’m the first.”
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