At 5.35 p.m. on Monday, June 9, 2025, Vietnam time, a shock statement from Luis de la Fuente, coach of the Spanish team, rocked Spanish football after defeat in the UEFA Nations League final against Portugal. The match, played yesterday at 2:00 am at the Da Luz stadium and concluded with a score of 2-2 after 120 minutes, resulted in a Portuguese victory 5-3 on penalties. This debacle pushed the Fuente to a radical decision at a press conference this morning: he pointed out the three worst players of the game and announced that they will never wear the La Roja jersey again. This unprecedented measure has left the team and the stunned fans.
The failed penalty of Álvaro Morata, stopped by Diogo Costa, was a decisive turning point, but of the Fuente widened his criticism to Dani Olmo and Rodri, accusing them of not having shown the necessary commitment. “They failed in their responsibilities, and their time with the team is over,” he said, firmly, an unusual tone for a coach renowned for his prudence. Lamine Yamal, despite his goal, could not compensate for the errors of her teammates, and the frustration of De La Fuente seems to have reached a critical point after an uneven season for Spain.
This announcement has divided opinions. On social networks, hashtags #delafuentedecision and #adiosmorata dominate, with thousands of comments. Some greet the coach’s determination to renew the team, seeing in this purge a chance for young talents like Yamal and Pedri. Others, on the other hand, believe that the exclusion of experienced players like Rodri, Pillar of Manchester City, could weaken Spain in the qualifications for the 2026 World Cup. Morata, already under pressure, risks seeing his international career ends abruptly after this reverse.
The impact is immediate. The targeted players, under contract with prestigious clubs, could contest this decision via the Spanish Federation (RFEF), although Fuente benefits from the support of part of the management. He justifies his choice by the need to restore a winner’s mentality, arguing that failure in the final reflects a lack of cohesion. In the locker room, the atmosphere is tense, with reports indicating that several players have been amazed by the severity of their coach.
For Spain, this controversy marks a turning point. With the approaching club season, Fuente must now rebuild a team without these veterans, while managing the media benefits. Fans are impatiently waiting to see if this decision will bear fruit or if it will precipitate a deeper crisis. For the moment, the eyes are turned to the next friendly games, where the absence of Morata, Olmo and Rodri will be scrutinized. This daring purge could be the start of a new era for Roja, but it also raises questions about the team’s immediate future.
