Spanish men's national team coach Luis de la Fuente participated in the cultural program "Mares de Papel" in Mazarrón on Thursday. He stated that "Murcia is in the first division" and admitted that he is "happy" and "strong enough" to face the road to the 2030 World Cup, although he emphasized that "it doesn't depend solely" on him.
During his speech at the event, which he attended accompanied by José Miguel Monje, president of the Murcia Regional Football Federation (FFRM), De la Fuente stated that with his team, "where there is awareness and shared work," they can "win the World Cup," according to sources from the organization in a statement.
He also referred to the Murcian tennis player Carlos Alcaraz, noting that "he's the first to give his all on the court with hard work, hard work, and hard work," and stressed that "you can't trivialize the fact that, like any young person, he has his moments of relaxation in Ibiza and wherever he wants."
De la Fuente, who received the municipality's honorary 'Phoenician Ship' from the mayor of Mazarrón, Gines Campillo, stated that the Spanish national football team also has "many 'alcarazes'."
Likewise, he expressed his "confidence" that Lamine Yamal, a striker for La Roja and FC Barcelona, will win the Ballon d'Or. "I'm sure he'll achieve it if injuries allow him to survive and the rest of us know how to help and protect him," he emphasized.
Regarding Real Madrid player Dean Huijsen, he said he understands why the fans "are in love" with him because he has "enormous potential to be a world-class defender," although he specified that it's a similar case to Yamal's. "Let's be cautious because we have a golden generation on the horizon," the national team coach added.
He also spoke about the pressure from other federations on young footballers, insisting that "in the end, they decide." The names of two Murcians came up: Chichoro, a Manchester United youth goalkeeper who is joining the U17s from the English national team, and Real Madrid's Rachad Fettal, who has told Morocco he wants to play for Spain.
For his part, Monje advocated continuing the collaboration with 'Mares de Papel' in the future given its success.
