Luis de la Fuente described Spain’s Nations League ultimate towards Portugal as a “blessing” as they put together to face Cristiano Ronaldo on the Allianz Area on Sunday.
Spain booked their place within the showpiece match with an enthralling 5-4 victory over France on Thursday, as Barcelona wonderkid Lamine Yamal scored twice.
De la Fuente’s workforce now flip their consideration to attaining a 3rd main trophy in three years, having gained the Nations League in 2023 and the European Championships in 2024.
However standing of their approach are Portugal, who got here from a aim right down to beat Germany within the semi-finals, with Ronaldo scoring the winner after Florian Wirtz’s opener was cancelled out by Francisco Conceicao’s stunner.
Certainly, Ronaldo netted his 137th worldwide aim on Wednesday, and De la Fuente solely had phrases of reward for Portugal’s 40-year-old stalwart.
“It’s a blessing to face Portugal and a footballer who has formed an period and a legacy,” De la Fuente stated.
“I usually use Cristiano Ronaldo for instance for my gamers and to specific my admiration for him. He’s a task mannequin for everybody, younger and previous.”
Earlier on Saturday, Ronaldo confirmed he wouldn’t participate within the upcoming Membership World Cup following the expiration of his contract with Al-Nassr, having been linked with a transfer to a number of taking part golf equipment.
This chapter is over.
The story? Nonetheless being written.
Grateful to all. pic.twitter.com/Vuvl5siEB3— Cristiano Ronaldo (@Cristiano) Could 26, 2025
De la Fuente additionally praised considered one of his personal gamers, lauding Barcelona’s Pedri for his spectacular shows for Hansi Flick’s aspect this season.
Pedri netted his first-ever aggressive aim for Spain of their 5-4 win over France, with that coming off the again of serving to Barca to a home treble in 2024-25.
The Spaniard featured in 59 of Barca’s 60 video games throughout all competitions – the best one-season whole of his Blaugrana profession – and essentially the most of any participant in Flick’s squad.
In LaLiga, solely Pau Cubarsi (2,426) accomplished extra profitable passes than Pedri (2,379) for Barca, additional highlighting his significance to their success.
Forward of the showdown with Portugal, De la Fuente outlined how Pedri’s sport has developed, with the 22-year-old now a assured starter for Spain.
“Pedri has a particular expertise, as a quantity eight or as a quantity 10,” De la Fuente stated.
“I would really like him to play nearer to the opposition field as objectives are scored nearer to the field. Key are the passes you make there, too.
“He contributes so much to us there. As a result of he could make these ultimate passes, he completes patterns of play, and he’s improved so much together with his taking pictures.”