Spain head coach Luis de la Fuente has expressed his disappointment following Assane Diao’s decision to represent Senegal at the international level instead of La Roja.
The highly rated forward, who was seen as a future asset for Spain, opted to play for his country of origin, ending speculation over his national allegiance.
De la Fuente Reacts to Diao’s Absence
Speaking at a press conference on Friday, De la Fuente addressed Diao’s choice, making it clear that he harbored some frustration over the situation.
While he maintained a diplomatic stance, his comments reflected his discontent over losing the young talent to Senegal.
“Assane Diao’s decision to play for Senegal does not concern me. I have seen many similar cases throughout my career,” De la Fuente remarked.
“To represent Spain, a player must have both the desire and the ability. We do not force anyone to join us.
Wearing this jersey should be a matter of pride—this is a team that has been world champions, European champions, and winners of the Nations League.
Those who have the right qualities and the will to be here will come,” he added.
Diao, who currently plays for Como in Italy’s top flight, had been considered a strong candidate for Spain’s future squad.
However, he ultimately chose to commit to the Senegalese national team.
Preference for Players Committed to Spain
While acknowledging Diao’s departure, De la Fuente emphasized the importance of commitment to La Roja, citing examples of players who opted for Spain without hesitation.
“I prefer players like Aymeric Laporte, Robin Le Normand, Lamine Yamal, Samu Omorodion, Mateo Joseph, and Dean Huijsen—those who made an unconditional decision to play for Spain,” he stated.
“This is what must be highlighted, because establishing oneself in this national team is extremely difficult,” he added, underlining the competitive nature of the Spanish squad.
A Setback for the Spanish Federation
Beyond De la Fuente’s remarks, Diao’s decision represents a blow to the Spanish Football Federation, which had been working to secure his commitment.
The loss of a promising talent to Senegal reflects the growing challenge Spain faces in retaining dual-nationality players amid strong competition from other nations.
Despite the setback, De la Fuente remains focused on those who have fully committed to Spain, reinforcing his belief that only those with a genuine desire to represent the country should be part of the squad.
