De la Fuente clarifies Barcelona star’s struggles at World Cup 2026

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·13 July 2026

De la Fuente clarifies Barcelona star’s struggles at World Cup 2026

Despite not having played at their very best level so far, Spain, who have up to eight FC Barcelona players in its World Cup 2026 squad, have been able to make it to the semi-finals of the competition. They are set to face France in a blockbuster tie on Tuesday.

The Spaniards came out victorious in their last two games against the Blues, but it is clear that players like Lamine Yamal and Pedri would have to be at their best if their team is to beat France in this tie. Both of them have not been able to play at the level that was expected of them, and Pedri was also not one of the starters in the last game against Belgium in the quarter-finals.

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As SPORT has noted, the Spanish national team coach, Luis de la Fuente clarified why the Barcelona midfielder came on only as a substitute in the second half as he addressed a presser ahead of the match against France.

The Spanish tactician asked fans to tone down their expectations from the Canary Islander, as he explained why he cannot play with the national team as he does with the Blaugrana team:

“Pedri can’t play with us the way he plays at Barça. Our style of play is different. We can have certain similarities, but it’s different. We have Rodri or Zubimendi, who influence the way the player next to them behaves. He can’t play the same way he does for his club because we demand something different, and our footballing approach develops in another way. Pedri, because of his ability and talent, can play as a No. 6, No. 8, or No. 10.”

De la Fuente went on to explain why Pedri did not start against Belgium:

“I’ve spoken with him, and he feels very comfortable when he can provide the final pass, take shots, and make runs into the box. We try to make sure that every player feels comfortable so they can develop their footballing potential. I love the way he plays for Barça and the way he plays for the national team.

He wasn’t a substitute against Belgium because he was struggling. In that match, we needed Fabián’s physical presence, and we wanted to make the most of Pedri’s talent once the game changed—to have more possession and greater control of the match. We wanted his calmness, and the game unfolded exactly as we had planned.”

Luis de la Fuente’s comments make sense, as despite their similarities, Barcelona and the Spanish national team have different playing styles. This could have been a reason why Pedri has not shone in the World Cup as he has done for the Blaugrana team in the last few years.

Still, as the Spanish coach mentioned, he remains a key part of both the teams, especially with his ability to bring a lot of composure and control for his team in the middle of the pitch.