Luis de la Fuente, the head coach of the Spanish national team, confirmed that his players are entering the Round of 16 match against Portugal in the 2026 World Cup with great confidence, emphasizing that La Roja is still capable of evolving and that their current performance is not enough to win the tournament.

In a press conference, De la Fuente stated: "Everything that brings joy to the Portuguese people gives the Spanish people the same feeling. We may not experience the atmosphere in the streets, but we are well aware of what we represent for our country, and that gives us a strong character."

Regarding Fabián Ruiz's situation, he said: "I have had a trusting relationship with him for years, and he is an important player whether he starts the match or comes off the bench. We have an exceptional group, and everyone knows their role. In the Euros, the substitutes were very influential, and having players like Fabián, Merino, and Zubimendi gives us great comfort and confidence."

He spoke about the physical condition of Nico Williams, saying: "We will see how the match goes, and he will determine if he can play. We will think about what is best for the team and for him. He can participate, but he has some limitations due to injury and his absence, and we will finalize the decision before the match."

He added: "Our ambition always drives us to seek the best. At the end of each training session, I tell the players that they must be better the next day. What we have shown so far is not enough to win the World Cup, and we still have a lot to develop."

On the atmosphere within the team, he explained: "I am experiencing the tournament with calm and full focus on the technical details. Within our group, we work in a comfortable atmosphere, and if we get distracted by what is happening outside, we become more anxious."

He also denied any signs of discouragement from Lamine Yamal, saying: "I saw him very happy in the locker room; he always enjoys a great atmosphere with his teammates, and I haven't noticed anything negative about him."

Regarding the match against Portugal, he said: "We need to exploit their weaknesses as we always try to do with any opponent. It will be a different match, not because of the style, as the philosophies of both teams are similar, but the World Cup is an exceptional tournament, and we will play in a way that brings us closer to victory."

He praised the cultural diversity in football, stating: "Globalization has made football richer, and the mixing of cultures and races is wonderful; this game proves to the world that coexistence is possible."

He addressed the anticipated matchup between Lamine Yamal and Nuno Mendes, saying: "Nuno Mendes has caused difficulties for many players because he is a distinguished defender, but Lamine has also done the same with many defenders. The most important thing is for him to play calmly and without pressure, as every match is different from the other."

On comparisons with the Spain team that won the Euros, he said: "Starting from a previous success is positive, but we should not live in the past. We need to focus on the present and the future."

He also praised Pau Torres, saying: "A special player is not just one who has skill, but one who knows how to manage difficult situations. Torres, Lamine, and Nico possess this character despite their young age, and having Laporte alongside him gives him more balance and experience."

On facing Cristiano Ronaldo, he said: "You cannot feel relaxed against a player like Cristiano, just as it happens with Lamine or Oyarzabal. But I have complete faith in our defenders, and Torres and Laporte have proven their ability to face the best strikers."

He added: "I am a big admirer of Cristiano Ronaldo; he is an example of character, work, and diligence. He is one of the greatest players in history, and we must pay attention to him at every moment of the match. Honestly, I would prefer he didn't play, but he will, and we will enjoy watching one of football's legends."

Regarding Lamine Yamal's defensive role, he said: "Lamine is always ready to work for the team, and I don't need to ask him for extra effort. We are happy with what he is providing, and the most important thing is to make the opposing defenders struggle against him."

He concluded his statements by discussing the midfield battle, saying: "I consider my players to be the best in the world, but we will face a team that has similar characteristics to us. The match will be decided by small details, and we will try to exploit them to our advantage. We still have room for improvement, and tomorrow we need to be better than we were before."