Spain manager Luis de la Fuente brings World Cup trophy to Madrid newsroom and defends Ferran Torres after ‘unfair’ criticism

Spain’s World Cup‐winning coach Luis de la Fuente turned the headquarters of Spanish sports daily AS into an impromptu celebration on Thursday, arriving with the World Cup trophy just four days after guiding La Roja to their second global title.

De la Fuente led Spain to a 1-0 victory over Argentina in a tense final that went to extra time, securing the country’s first World Cup since 2010 and only the second in its history.

The visit to AS was the first media stop made by the coach since lifting the trophy. Entering the newsroom carrying football’s most coveted prize, he joked with staff: “بعض زملايي طلبوا مني الكاس التالية.. لقد كان الامر صعبا، لكن الاوقات الصعبة مع العمل الجاد والحماس لا تكون صعبة”.

His appearance instantly transformed the editorial floor into a celebration, with journalists and staff breaking into applause, offering congratulations and rushing to take photos with both the coach and the trophy.

De la Fuente spent several minutes with the AS team in a relaxed, celebratory atmosphere marked by satisfaction over a job well done and pride in what is being seen as a landmark achievement for Spanish football.

Praise for Ferran Torres and echo of Morata’s story

The Spain manager used the occasion to address what he described as unjust criticism of some of his players, singling out forward Ferran Torres, who scored the decisive goal in the final.

He said: “احاول ان اكون منصفا عندما ارى انتقادات مغرضة؛ فالحياة تتيح لك فرصا لاحقا، ولهذا السبب انا سعيد للغاية من اجل فيران (توريس). تذكرني قصته بقصة موراتا. ففي مواجهة الظلم، قال: ها انا ذا”.

Torres, who plays his club football for FC Barcelona, had come under scrutiny before the tournament but emerged as one of Spain’s key figures in their run to the title, in a narrative De la Fuente compared to that of Alvaro Morata at previous major competitions.

Continuing his reflection on the final and its emotional weight, De la Fuente added: “كان الجو رايعا، وهذا ما يحدث عندما يكون الناس طيبين. عندما سجل فيران هدف الفوز، شعرت بسعادة غامرة؛ وعندما رفعت الكاس، شعرت بالرضا والفخر. انا سعيد لاجل بلدي”.

‘We were clearly superior’ in World Cup final

The coach said he has not felt the need to rewatch the final against Argentina, such was his conviction that Spain had been the better side over the 120 minutes.

“لم اضطر لمشاهدة المباراة النهايية مجددا، لكن الشعور السايد كان اننا كنا متفوقين بكثير. قبل اربع سنوات، في زيارتي السابقة، لم اتوقع الوصول الى هذه المرحلة، لكن الرحلة تقطع خطوة بخطوة. وبما كان لدينا، كنا سنقاتل من اجل الفوز”، اوضح دي لا فوينتي.

Spain’s triumph marks a culmination of De la Fuente’s gradual rise through the national-team structure, having previously coached various youth levels before taking charge of the senior side.

Understanding Argentina’s approach – but insisting on Spain’s style

Asked about the attitude and intensity shown by Argentina’s players in the final, particularly after they were reduced to 10 men, De la Fuente said he fully understood their attempt to drag the contest to penalties.

“ببسواله عن حماس لاعبي الارجنتين قال: “اتفهم تماما سبب سعيهم للوصول الى ركلات الترجيح، خاصة بعد الطرد. كنا واضحين بشان ضرورة لعبنا باسلوبنا. هذه هي الرسالة التي وجهتها للاعبين. لنلعب باسلوبنا، لانهم افضل منا في اسلوب لعبهم، ولا يمكننا السماح لهم بالفوز بسهولة”.

Spain, he stressed, were determined to dominate the ball and impose their own game rather than be drawn into Argentina’s preferred style of a more direct, emotional battle.

A new chapter in Spanish football history

The World Cup win has been widely framed in Spain as confirmation that a new generation can live up to the legacy of the 2010 champions, combining traditional Spanish possession play with greater verticality and resilience.

At AS headquarters, the sight of the trophy passing through desks and departments served as a vivid reminder of the scale of the achievement. For De la Fuente, though, the focus remains on what comes next, even amid the celebrations.

His message – to the media, to fans and most of all to his players – is that Spain’s latest world title is the product of hard work, persistence in the face of criticism, and an unshakeable commitment to their own way of playing.