Spain head coach Luis de la Fuente has hit back at critics who targeted Rodri following his country's goalless draw with Cape Verde in their opening FIFA World Cup 2026 fixture, dismissing the attacks as insulting to the Manchester City midfielder.

Rodri endured a torrid time in the Spanish press after the stalemate, with commentators arguing that his passing tempo slowed Spain's attack. The criticism stung — particularly given that Rodri registered a game-high 134 touches and completed 116 of his 126 passes, more than any other player on the pitch.

He was eventually withdrawn in the 87th minute as Spain pushed desperately for a winner, with Nico Williams introduced in his place.

De la Fuente's strong response

De la Fuente showed little patience for the critique when questioned by reporters. "Good heavens, please. For you to say things like this. Some people can say one thing or another," the Spain coach said, making his frustration plain.

He went further, reaffirming his belief that the 2024 Ballon d'Or winner remains the finest player on the planet — even when not at full capacity.

"Rodrigo is the best player in the world, and even at 50% he's much better than most midfielders in the world. Even at 50%. And with us, he's a player of exceptional importance, with fantastic clarity and vision and balance. Rodrigo is a guiding light for us."

Why Rodri matters to Spain

De la Fuente described Rodri as Spain's "guiding light" — a player whose vision, balance, and tactical intelligence underpin everything the team does in possession and out of it.

The holding midfielder's ability to dictate tempo, disrupt opposition attacks, and recycle the ball efficiently has made him the heartbeat of both Manchester City and the Spain national team. Whether the media accepts it or not, De la Fuente made clear that Rodri's place in his plans is beyond question.