Spain boss Luis de la Fuente has opined that captain Rodri’s criticism is insulting after they played a goalless draw against Cape Verde in their opening match of the ongoing FIFA World Cup.

Spain, the second-ranked team in FIFA rankings, dominated the possession with 62% but Cape Verde was brilliant in their defense. Vozinha, Cape Verde’s goalkeeper, made seven saves to keep Spain at bay.

Thus, there will be pressure on Spain for their remaining group games against Saudi Arabia and Uruguay.

After the draw, the Spanish media questioned de la Fuente’s team selection and substitutions, including picking Gavi and Ferran Torres as wingers. The media also slammed Rodri’s performances against Cape Verde.

“It seems incredibly insulting to me that people would say that about the best player in the world,” de la Fuente told Cadena COPE radio. “Would people say that about others who are considered the best in the world? I think they wouldn’t dare.

“But because they’re Spanish, we say things about our own that we wouldn’t about others… Rodri is the best player in the world. Even at 50%, he is better than most other midfielders in the world. He brings clarity, vision, balance. Rodri is an inspiration for us.”

There are fitness doubts over Nico Williams, Víctor Muñoz and Mikel Merino, but de la Fuente is confident the players will deliver at the right time.

“We don’t have to worry,” he said. “They’ll arrive in the moment we need them. On Sunday, they’ll get more minutes, and in the third game against Uruguay, they’ll be even better.

“In the last Euros [which Spain won in 2024] Dani Olmo came in with an injury. He could have stayed at home. We decided to risk him. Olmo came, he recovered, and he was top scorer. Nobody remembers that now, but I do.”

Spain will next take on Saudi Arabia on Sunday.