Spain boss Luis de la Fuente has once again showered Barcelona star Gavi with praise ahead of the start of his team’s World Cup campaign.
Gavi’s been in the news ahead of the tournament for a tough tackle on Rodri in training. However, Rodri has played down the incident, while De la Fuente has insisted “this is football.”
The Spain boss has now spoken about Gavi’s impact in training and explained why he is such a vital part of his squad.
“I wish you could have seen how he’s training. He’s so enthusiastic…
There’s an important aspect, aside from the footballing side and the players’ fitness, that’s motivation,” he told AS.A
“And motivation can sometimes turn any situation around. Sometimes it’s positive, and when you’re feeling down, it can be negative. But Gavi is a very important player because he has fantastic energy.
“He demands a lot from the rest of his teammates. He demands a lot because he trains with such energy, vitality, and enthusiasm… And that’s contagious.
“It’s a spirit that defines and shapes the identity of this group. There are players who are constantly pushing themselves. And that’s very good for the team because they never stop striving to improve.”
Gavi returned to fitness at the end of the season and played his way into Spain’s squad for World Cup 2026.
He’ll be hoping he can make a real impact at the tournament but may have to settle for a place on the bench for their first game against Cape Verde.
