De la Fuente: “We have the opportunity to do something historic and opportunities should not be missed”

The senior Spanish coach, Luis de la Fuente, commented this Wednesday that, in the 2026 World Cup, Spain has “the opportunity” to achieve “something historic” and that “opportunities should not be missed” and recalled that “hard work wins over talent when talent does not work hard.”

“We have the opportunity to do something historic and the opportunities should not be missed. The real success will be being close to doing it. That path is based on sacrifice and suffering, and these players understand it. We are going to try something very important for a country that is excited, and there is nothing more beautiful than seeing people happy and enjoying themselves,” said the Spanish coach in a meeting with clients with the IWC Schaffhausen watch brand.

De la Fuente stressed that the national team has “a power” which is that people want to be there and “they dream about it.” “I always tell the players that when they play for their club they are at 100%, but that when they come here it is, solely and exclusively, the national team. The national team is what gives luster to the entire career you have in your club, because the national team is what gives you or takes away from you,” he added.

The Rioja native explained that the selection “always seeks excellence” and that it must “live up to the demands.” Furthermore, he pointed out that the key to the Spanish group is homogeneity: “We are like the gears of a clock. All those pieces must fit together perfectly. That is what we look for when we choose footballers. And, of course, it is easier for the result to arrive when they are also good people.”

Regarding the importance of “savoring and enjoying the moments” and savoring “every second.” “I am lucky because I enjoy my profession. I always remember moments that have to do with human moments. Life cannot be separated from the professional. The person is above all because this life is about people. Sport is a great school of values ​​applicable to life,” he added.

Finally, he recalled that “hard work wins over talent when talent does not work hard.” “We have that tattooed on us in our group, it is a way of understanding life. We have a common idea which is to achieve something in a group, in union, with cohesion. In a group we walk much faster and much further. We must always be accompanied by good people, who contribute positive things and are good professionals,” he concluded.