Luis de la Fuente heaps praise on Gavi and says Yamal ‘perfectly fit’ | OneFootball

Spain manager Luis de la Fuente has lauded midfielder Gavi ahead of the opening World Cup game against Cape Verde.

Spain are yet to play, and this will be the first game in Group H. Spain will be confident going into this tournament having won EURO 2024, and de la Fuente thinks Gavi will be key.

“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.

“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.”

De la Fuente has also updated on Lamine Yamal, saying he should be fit for the first game.

“We were very worried. Because we saw it was an injury that could not keep him out for three months, or even two, but that month and a half could certainly be extended.

“But the timelines we’re seeing are exceptional, both in terms of the prediction and the quality of his recovery. And we’re all not surprised, but very happy.

“Very happy because we’re seeing that the recovery is progressing faster, he’s feeling better every day. And that leads us to believe that he’ll be perfectly fit for the first match.”