De la Fuente: Merino is our clutch player, Ronaldo a role model for youth

Spain head coach Luis de la Fuente couldn’t hide his pride after his side booked a quarterfinal spot at the 2026 World Cup. Substitute Mikel Merino proved to be the decisive factor, coming off the bench to send La Roja through in the Round of 16. “Mikel never lets you down. He won us the European Championship, and now he’s stepped up again when it mattered most. He’s one of the best in the world in his position. We have players on the bench who would start for almost any other national team. I make decisions based on what’s best for the group – I’ve never been a gambler. Merino performs at the highest level and always finds himself in the right place,” said De la Fuente. The Spanish boss also paid tribute to Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo, who played his final World Cup match. “We talk from time to time, and I deeply admire his values, what he represents, his approach to sport. I believe Cristiano is an example for young people. Whenever we get the chance to spend time together, we show mutual respect,” De la Fuente added. Spain will face Belgium in the quarterfinals on July 10.