De la Fuente praised Yamal as a player who actively takes responsibility.

Spain will face Portugal in a key Round of 16 match at the 2026 World Cup , and head coach De la Fuente said in an interview that Yamal is a proactive player who likes to take responsibility for the team.

With a brace from Oyarzabal and a goal from Pedro Polo, Spain defeated Austria 3-0 in the round of 32, advancing to the round of 16.

Speaking about Spanish winger Yamar, who plays for Barcelona, De la Fuente said, "He has a very strong desire to play, and Yamar loves those kinds of games. He likes to be the center of attention, likes to take responsibility, and likes to step up. That's a good thing because he's a very proactive player."

“It’s a real pleasure to coach a player with these qualities. He’s always been willing to put in extra effort, and he’s very aware that this is one of the requirements for him as he develops. I’m very satisfied with his performance, and the whole team is happy with the current state of the team.”

In addition, Portugal, Spain's upcoming opponent, defeated Croatia 2-1 in the round of 32, thanks to goals from Cristiano Ronaldo and Gonzalo Ramos, thus securing their place in the round of 16.

De la Fuente said, "I am a fan of Ronaldo and I admire people like him very much. He is determined and tireless, and he is a role model for everyone. I have great respect for him. What is truly admirable is not only the legendary things he has left behind, but also the historical place he will leave in the future."

"We must be highly vigilant about him. This doesn't mean we need to assign players to specifically mark him, but rather that we must keep an eye on him no matter where he is."

De la Fuente also said, "If I could, I would certainly prefer him not to play, but he will definitely play. It would be a pleasure for everyone to see one of the greatest players in football history on the field again."

Image source: Internet