De la Fuente backs Ferrán against 'unjust and unfounded criticism'

Spain's national football team coach, Luis de la Fuente, expressed particular satisfaction that forward Ferrán Torres scored the winning goal in the final against Argentina. De la Fuente stated this goal helped refute the "unjust, unfounded, and exaggerated criticisms, often with malicious intent," that the Barcelona player had faced recently.

“

I was very happy that Ferrán scored the goal in the final because I try to be fair. And when I see injustice and unfair, exaggerated criticism, especially with bad intentions, then life gives you the opportunity to get even.

In an interview with the newspaper As, De la Fuente drew a comparison between Torres and forward Álvaro Morata, who was absent from the World Cup. He praised Torres for not giving up despite the negative comments directed at him, both as a player for Barcelona and the national team. "I was very happy that Ferrán scored the goal in the final because I try to be fair. When I see injustice and unfair, exaggerated criticism, especially with bad intentions, life gives you the opportunity to get even. Ferrán has spectacular statistics with the national team, and the same happens at his club," the coach argued.

“

Ferrán has spectacular statistics with the national team, and the same happens at his club.

De la Fuente believes the Valencia-born forward reminds him somewhat of Álvaro Morata. "I'm glad that, in the face of injustice, people are capable of saying: 'Here I am.' And in these cases, he has earned it because others would have given up," he added. He stressed that players must demonstrate their worth and not rely on past achievements or commitments.

“

I'm glad that, in the face of injustice, people are capable of saying: 'Here I am.' And in these cases, he has earned it because others would have given up.

Regarding the upcoming September call-ups for the Nations League matches, De la Fuente remained non-committal about new additions. He warned that players understand he has no predetermined commitments to anyone, despite maintaining an exceptional professional relationship. "We have an exceptional relationship, but we don't have a commitment. We are not going to die of commitment. Why? Because they know that what drives me is always justice and honesty. Just as I have bet on them, the time will come when I bet on others. The case of Morata or Carvajal, for example, who have left an exceptional legacy and their cycle has not yet closed," he explained. He recalled the case of Jesús Navas, who played for Spain at 39, indicating that veteran players like Carvajal or Morata have open doors if they regain form.

“

We have an exceptional relationship, but we don't have a commitment. We are not going to die of commitment. Why? Because they know that what drives me is always justice and honesty.