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Gaizka Mendieta, antigo jogador de destaque do Valencia e do Barcelona, concedeu uma entrevista exclusiva ao Flashscore, abordando a formação atual da Espanha, os objetivos da equipe na Copa do Mundo e a influência do treinador Luis de la Fuente no elenco.

**English Translation:**

Pedri, Nico Williams, and Lamine Yamal – Luis de la Fuente has many good options at his disposal.

Mendieta spoke with Flashscore about La Roja at a LaLiga event in Peru. Check out the interview:

(Image caption: Mendieta received the UEFA award for best midfielder of the 2000-2001 season)

• How do you evaluate the current situation of the Spanish national team?

There is some uncertainty, but we will see a successful team, because they have already shown it in the Nations League; they know what it takes to win. I hope the players arrive in good form so they can show all their quality.

• How has Luis de la Fuente influenced the Spanish team?

He brought the freshness that was needed to a group that has already had a lot of success. He managed the human side well, created a great atmosphere, and helped these young players develop the tools to show their individual talent.

We have seen players like Lamine, Nico (Williams), Fermin, Pedri, (Pau) Cubarsi… players who are important in their clubs and who have improved thanks to this national team structure.

• Does this team compare to the 2010 World Cup-winning team?

Yes, in terms of individual talent, I think…

Summary:

Former Spanish international Gaizka Mendieta, in an interview with Flashscore, discussed the current state of the Spanish national team (La Roja). He acknowledged some uncertainty but expressed confidence in the team’s ability to succeed, citing their Nations League victory and the players’ winning mentality. Mendieta emphasized the importance of the players being in good form.

He highly praised coach Luis de la Fuente for bringing “freshness” to the squad, effectively managing the team’s human aspect, creating a positive atmosphere, and fostering the development of young talents such as Lamine Yamal, Nico Williams, Fermin, Pedri, and Pau Cubarsi. Mendieta also suggested that the individual talent of the current Spanish squad can be compared to that of the 2010 World Cup-winning team. Sim; os sistemas são diferentes. Na Espanha, somos privilegiados porque nossos clubes produzem muito talento, o que dá à seleção nacional e ao técnico uma grande variedade de jogadores para escolher.

• Como você vê a situação de Rodri, já que ele ainda não voltou a estar 100% em forma com o Manchester City?

Ele teve uma lesão grave (ele se recuperou de uma ruptura do ligamento cruzado anterior do joelho direito), o que não lhe permitiu a continuidade que todos nós gostaríamos. Vamos ver como ele se apresenta… Acho que, se estiver em forma, ele é um jogador importante e um líder incontestável entre os 11 titulares.

• Além de Lamine Yamal, de qual outro jovem jogador você gosta?

Pedri é um divisor de águas! A maneira como a Espanha joga com ele em campo em comparação com a que joga sem ele… Pedri controla o ritmo que o futebol precisa. O futebol não se trata apenas de intensidade ou velocidade; você precisa daquela ‘pausa’, e Pedri sabe como criá-la.

• Quem poderia ser o destaque da Espanha nesta Copa?

Talvez, no geral, Mikel Oyarzabal seja um jogador que pouca gente conhece porque joga na Real

Aqui está a tradução para o inglês:

Sociedad. Internationally, he doesn’t have the same name recognition as Lamine Yamal or Pedri, but he can surprise people with his performances.

• With so many national teams participating (48), has the World Cup lost a bit of its competitiveness?

FIFA opened the door to more competitors, and that’s what they got.

• Which national team do you consider the favorite for this World Cup?

Obviously, France, for what they’ve done and are doing; Argentina – as long as Leo (Messi) is there, you have to include them; Brazil as well; and Spain is also among the favorites.