Spain’s De la Fuente Praises Young Stars Ahead of Nations League Final

MUNICH, Germany — Spain coach Luis de la Fuente spoke highly of young talents Pedri and Lamine Yamal during a press conference on June 7, 2025, ahead of the UEFA Nations League final against Portugal.

Both players contributed to a thrilling 5-4 semifinal victory over France. De la Fuente emphasized Pedri’s impressive maturity, stating, “He’s special, but you’d be surprised by the calm with which he handles all of this. We support him in his development,” continuing, “Goals are scored near the box. Key passes, too. He contributes a lot to us there.”

Yamal, only 17, has also been a standout player. He scored twice against France, earning praise from his coach. After the match, De la Fuente declared, “He’s the best player in the world,” acknowledging Yamal’s pivotal role in the team’s success.

De la Fuente’s tactics emphasize playing closer to the box, where both players can maximize their impact. “Pedri has a special talent,” he said. “He’s improved a lot with his shooting.” Both players are expected to start in Sunday’s final, continuing their push for another title.

Yamal’s performance against France was notable for its composure. He calmly converted a penalty and followed it up with a well-placed shot that contributed to Spain’s historic score against the French team, marking their highest-scoring game in Nations League history.

Portugal, led by Cristiano Ronaldo, defeated Germany to reach the final. Ronaldo highlighted the importance of teamwork over individual matchups, saying, “When you talk about a clash between Cristiano and someone else, that’s not how it works.”

As both teams prepare for the final, Spain remains optimistic, carrying a strong record of 16 wins and 2 draws in their last 18 matches. Mikel Oyarzabal expressed confidence, stating, “We trust ourselves 100 percent and know we can compete in every game.”

The final will be held in Munich on June 10, where Spain aims to defend their Nations League title.