Luis de la Fuente, coach of Spain’s senior national soccer team, expressed his elation after the country’s under-23 team triumphed in the Olympic tournament final against France on Friday. He emphasized the need for greater recognition and respect for Spanish football, highlighting the hard work and success that has marked the country’s achievements in recent years.
De la Fuente, who previously led the under-23 team to a silver medal at the Tokyo Games before taking over as the senior national team manager, recently guided Spain to a European Championship victory. His call for appreciation comes after a particularly successful summer for Spanish football, with the under-19 team also claiming the European Championship title.
“We are not aware of what we have achieved this year and we do not value Spanish football enough,” De la Fuente said in a post-match interview. “Let’s get rid of our prejudices, really, almost no team can achieve this.”
He pointed out the significance of these accomplishments, urging fans and critics alike to recognize the historic nature of Spain’s victories. The 63-year-old coach highlighted the achievements of players like Fermin Lopez and Alex Baena, who were part of his senior squad during the European Championship before joining the Olympic team. These players, alongside France’s Albert Rust in 1984, are the only ones to have won both titles in the same summer.
“Fermin and Baena are very generous,” De la Fuente noted. “They wanted to be here with their teammates, with a fantastic team coached by a wonderful technical staff.”
The Olympic gold medal not only marks a historic achievement for Spanish football but also represents the first gold in a team sport for Spain in 28 years. De la Fuente’s remarks underscore the significance of these victories and the dedication required to reach such heights in the sport.