Diao snubs Spain, De La Fuente: ‘Three principles must be respected’ | OneFootball

Como talent Assane Diao has picked the Senegal national team over Spain, but La Roja’s boss Luis De La Fuente refuses to complain: ‘I’ve been through many situations like this. Three principles must be respected.’

Diao has had a stunning impact at Como, scoring five goals in ten Serie A appearances after completing a permanent €12m move from Real Betis in the January transfer window.

Born in Ndongane, Senegal, Diao has a Spanish passport but has decided to play for his native country.

Diao snubs Spain, De La Fuente: ‘Three principles must be respected’

MILAN, ITALY – MARCH 08: Keita Balde of Monza scores his team’s second goal during the Serie A match between FC Internazionale and Monza at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza on March 08, 2025 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

“I have a lot of experience, and I’ve been through many situations like this,” Spain coach De La Fuente said during a press conference on Friday via TMW.

“Three principles must be respected: if a player can play with us, if he wants to do so and whether we call him up or not. The most important is the second. Nobody is obligated to come and play for Spain. With complete freedom in all decisions, anyone who wants to play for Spain will play. That’s how it is now. It has been that way in the past, and it will be in the future.”

Other players, including ex-Juventus defender Dean Huijsen, previously picked Spain over their native countries.

“I stand by these players, with Laporte, Le Normand, Lamine, Samu, Huijsen and many others,” said De La Fuente.

“They have wanted to play for Spain unconditionally. We must value Spain’s position.”