Spain coach Luis de la Fuente has lavished praise on Mikel Oyarzabal, describing the forward as "a great among greats" and insisting he is "finally" receiving the recognition his performances have long warranted.

De la Fuente's remarks came on Thursday, following Oyarzabal's brace against Saudi Arabia in the FIFA World Cup — a display the Spain head coach believes should cement the forward's standing among the sport's elite.

Oyarzabal has often operated in the shadows of Spain's more celebrated attacking names, yet his contributions at international level have been consistent and decisive. De la Fuente made clear that the striker's importance to the national side cannot be overstated.

The Real Sociedad forward has already made his mark at major tournaments — he scored the winning goal in the UEFA Euro 2024 final — and this latest World Cup showing appears to have shifted the wider narrative around him.

For De la Fuente, the breakthrough in public recognition is long overdue. His comments suggest a coach who has always held Oyarzabal in the highest regard, even when broader football audiences were slower to acknowledge the forward's quality.