Spain head coach Luis de la Fuente believes Arsenalâs Martin Zubimendi is the second-best midfielder in the world behind Rodri after his sideâs 1-0 win over Portugal at the World Cup.
Zubimendi, who was signed by Arsenal in a ÂŁ60 million deal from Real Sociedad last year, played a key role in the clubâs Premier League title success under Mikel Arteta last season.
However, the Arsenal midfielder is yet to make an appearance at the World Cup this summer as he has been left on Spainâs bench for all five of their games so far.
Zubimendiâs Arsenal teammate, Mikel Merino, came on as a substitute to score Spainâs injury-time winner against Portugal on Monday to secure their place in the World Cup quarter-final where they will meet Belgium on Friday.
Speaking after the game, De la Fuente praised his midfield options but conceded that Zubimendi may struggle to get playing time at the World Cup as he described Rodri as Spainâs âguiding lightâ.
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âI already said it, if necessary, I would have gone to pick Mikel up from his house,â De la Fuente said.
âHeâs a fantastic player for everything he gives us, and I also want to highlight the contribution of the players who come on in the second half, just like in the European Championship, and that shows the great professionalism of everyone.
âThe team continues to grow. Todayâs match was exceptional for both sides, with some outstanding moments of football. We are fortunate to have a team that knows how to compete until the very last second.
âRodrigo is the guiding light of this team, a player with exceptional vision, which is why he is the best player in the world in his position, and behind him is Martin Zubimendi, who is the second-best player in the world in that position.
âFor me, Lamine played one of the most important matches of his life, one that will help him continue to grow. He worked incredibly hard, he suffered for the team, and Nuno Mendesâ injury was probably because he pushed him to the limit. We need him to keep growing and giving these kinds of performances.â
In a separate interview with TVE, De la Fuente also praised the depth of quality in his Spain squad.
âThe important players are those who come off the bench, who make all the work of their teammates who came before them worthwhile and gave us that energy to finish the game,â De la Fuente said.
âWe were thinking about giving them a bit of a rhythm to face extra time with the energy needed right after coming onto the pitch. The contribution of those players was masterful. We have 26 players of an extremely high level.â
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Zubimendi, who was signed by Arsenal in a ÂŁ60 million deal from Real Sociedad last year, played a key role in the clubâs Premier League title success under Mikel Arteta last season.
However, the Arsenal midfielder is yet to make an appearance at the World Cup this summer as he has been left on Spainâs bench for all five of their games so far.
Zubimendiâs Arsenal teammate, Mikel Merino, came on as a substitute to score Spainâs injury-time winner against Portugal on Monday to secure their place in the World Cup quarter-final where they will meet Belgium on Friday.
Speaking after the game, De la Fuente praised his midfield options but conceded that Zubimendi may struggle to get playing time at the World Cup as he described Rodri as Spainâs âguiding lightâ.
Ask Metro
Use AI to go deeper into the stories you care about â powered by Metro and trusted publications.
âI already said it, if necessary, I would have gone to pick Mikel up from his house,â De la Fuente said.
âHeâs a fantastic player for everything he gives us, and I also want to highlight the contribution of the players who come on in the second half, just like in the European Championship, and that shows the great professionalism of everyone.
âThe team continues to grow. Todayâs match was exceptional for both sides, with some outstanding moments of football. We are fortunate to have a team that knows how to compete until the very last second.
âRodrigo is the guiding light of this team, a player with exceptional vision, which is why he is the best player in the world in his position, and behind him is Martin Zubimendi, who is the second-best player in the world in that position.
âFor me, Lamine played one of the most important matches of his life, one that will help him continue to grow. He worked incredibly hard, he suffered for the team, and Nuno Mendesâ injury was probably because he pushed him to the limit. We need him to keep growing and giving these kinds of performances.â
In a separate interview with TVE, De la Fuente also praised the depth of quality in his Spain squad.
âThe important players are those who come off the bench, who make all the work of their teammates who came before them worthwhile and gave us that energy to finish the game,â De la Fuente said.
âWe were thinking about giving them a bit of a rhythm to face extra time with the energy needed right after coming onto the pitch. The contribution of those players was masterful. We have 26 players of an extremely high level.â
For more stories like this, check our sport page.
Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Arrow MORE: Belgium players mock Donald Trump with YMCA dance in dressing room after beating USA
Arrow MORE: Arsenal star set to leave as Mikel Arteta closes in on summer signing
Arrow MORE: Paraguay senator threatens to sue Kylian Mbappe for âgender violenceâ after racist attack
