Spain manager talks Gavi, Gavi, Fermin, Lamine, Ballon d’Or – ‘Can become a legend’ | OneFootball

Earlier today, Spain manager Luis de la Fuente announced the national team squad list for their upcoming UEFA Nations League fixtures.

As many as six Barcelona players were named in the squad as La Roja prepare to take on France in the semi-finals before facing one of Portugal or Germany in either the final or the third-place playoff.

Indeed, Pedri, Lamine Yamal, Dani Olmo, Pau Cubarsi, Fermin Lopez, and Gavi all made the cut under De la Fuente while players like Inigo Martinez, Alejandro Balde, Eric Garcia, and Ferran Torres missed out.

Following the announcement of the squad, De la Fuente faced the media in a press conference, where he explained his decision to recall Gavi to the Spain squad for the first time since the young midfielder’s ACL injury back in November 2023.

“It was a natural process. These injuries take time. It’s one thing to be medically cleared and another to perform. Gavi is at a high level although he still has a long way to go and he has to keep working,” said De la Fuente.

“He is in this process and now he is at a very high level. He is a very important player for us. He comes to play and we are celebrating his presence in the list.”

Meanwhile, the Spain boss also commented on the possibility of using Pedri as part of a double pivot, a role in which he has excelled in Hansi Flick’s Barcelona this season.

“Yes, we look at all the possibilities but there are only eleven players. It depends on what the game demands. It’s a squad and there will be players who will play more or less,” he said.

“Everyone is important here. I love that reflection. We are on this line. We are very calm.”

Fermin Lopez, apart from being included in the senior Spain squad for the Nations League, has also been named in the Under-21 squad for the U-21 European Championships, meaning he will be pulling double duty this summer.

On the matter, De la Fuente said: “We have spoken to him and the player is in good disposition and so is the club. This confluence of interests, everything is fantastic. He is an extraordinary boy, with exceptional energy.”

De la Fuente sings praises of Lamine Yamal. (Photo by Judit Cartiel/Getty Images)

De la Fuente then went on to hail Lamine Yamal and his evolution into one of the best players in the world at just 17 years old, saying:

“It’s something that we thought could be like this. He is touched by the wand of God, special. You have to know how to manage him. He and his club are doing very well. He is very mature for his age.

“He handles situations naturally. Let’s be aware that he is 17 years old and he is a footballer who can become a legend.”

The Spain boss stated that the youngster will only get better from hereon: “He is a player with a great future, but he is still in the process.

“We are not yet seeing the Lamine of 3-4 years from now. He will be even better. If he is healthy, we will have a great player, a legend.”

On the possibility of Lamine winning the Ballon d’Or this year, De la Fuente remarked:

“Sometimes they are decided by small details. I don’t know when he will win it, but he will win it for sure and he is destined to win it again.

“This season, we will have to see. The most important thing is that he continues to work like the professional he is. In this dynamic, he will win for sure.”

Source: Mundo Deportivo