At the Embassy Suites on Broad Street in downtown Chattanooga, the final vans have departed. The day before their exit, a group of children had climbed barriers and trees to catch a glimpse of Spain’s players. One girl stood on a ladder, holding two signs over the fence: one read, “I’ve been here three weeks. I know you’ve seen me!” and the other, “Sometimes things don’t go the way we would like; we’re working to ensure they do.” On Wednesday afternoon, local time in Tennessee, the players finally emerged. They won’t be returning.
Spain is leaving their training base for Los Angeles and, should all proceed smoothly, on to Dallas. However, they depart with more uncertainties than when the World Cup commenced. Fabián Ruiz suggests that while it may appear that way externally, internally, the atmosphere is somewhat different.
Fabián, who tends to be succinct in his speech, frequently uses the term ‘natural.’ He acknowledges, “If his name wasn’t Fabián, everyone would talk about him more,”
The tournament’s opening phase was heavily influenced by the fitness of Lamine Yamal, an 18-year-old sensation who has been sidelined since April. It seemed the team was holding its breath for his return before they could truly begin their campaign. Furthermore, all four wingers have encountered fitness issues, which critically affects Spain’s identity and Luis de la Fuente’s adaptation of tiki-taka football. This concern also extends to the midfield, where Fabián plays a pivotal role—but potentially not as a starter.
Since the match against Cape Verde, Fabián has not made a starting appearance. There have been moments where it seemed easy to overlook him. De la Fuente once lamented, “the six best midfielders in the world” Fabián’s quiet demeanor and lack of self-promotion mean he often goes unnoticed, although he did manage to inject some humor recently when he suggested a TV channel add subtitles for him, referencing how another channel had done the same for his mother in a recent documentary. Proud of his roots, Fabián holds his mother, Chari Peña, in high regard.
Raised in the small town of Los Palacios—famous for its bumper cars, wicker chairs, and tomatoes—Chari single-handedly raised Fabián while working as a cleaner at the same training ground where he progressed through the youth system of Betis. She would often take him to morning training sessions at 7 AM, leaving him asleep in the car while she worked until it was time to wake him for practice. All of Fabián’s success is for her, he declares. He is a three-time European champion, notably shining as Spain’s standout player in Euro 24, and has also secured two Champions League titles with Paris Saint-Germain.
De la Fuente asserted that Spain possesses “It has been hard to get my pace and rhythm back but I am 100% now,” a claim fitting for him. The challenge lies in determining how to integrate them into the lineup and finding the most effective combinations. Additionally, the fitness levels of players like Nico Williams, Lamine Yamal, Mikel Merino, and Fabián, who each faced significant injuries this season, complicate matters.
“I think they’re 100% but I can only speak for myself: I feel in good form. There were long-term injuries and it is true that to start with it is hard to get up to pace and adapt when you come back: I struggled with that. But by the time I got here, I had played various games in a row for PSG at the highest level without having to stop; the injury has been forgotten.” Fabián states. “I don’t think it’s about Pedri’s position [that means] the game is slower. “From the outside I don’t know how people look at it; on the inside we see it as something that’s totally natural. We know that any of the central midfielders can play. We can play together or separately, it doesn’t matter. It’s not important who plays; it’s important that we support each other. And I don’t think it changes anything. The idea we have is the same and we all have the ability to make that idea work. We have different characteristics but I think at a collective level the idea is the same.”
During the World Cup, both Pedri and Rodri have been regular starters. The key question remains who will join them in the lineup. Fabián played in the opening match, while the subsequent games featured Dani Olmo and then Merino. The choice for the upcoming match against Austria remains uncertain, as does its potential implications.
Fabián’s inclusion necessitated a shift from De la Fuente’s preferred 4-2-3-1 formation to a 4-3-3 or repositioning Pedri higher on the pitch, where he has struggled to exert control. While Fabián’s absence from the lineup may have been more about tactical shape than performance, he insists, “Álvaro and Dani were two very important captains for us and had a lot of weight in the team,”
“But there are others who have the experience. The captains. Rodri, the first captain. Unai Simon. Mikel Oyarzabal who seems shy but he is someone you listen to, someone who is imposing when he talks because he always has the right opinion. Aymeric Laporte, too.”
However, the leadership structure has shifted. During the European Championship, Spain had a trio of leaders: Álvaro Morata, who led with empathy; Dani Carvajal, who brought competitiveness and character; and Rodri, who excelled on the pitch. Now, only Rodri remains.
“I’ve always said I am reserved. I am not someone who much likes to show his face in public, to speak much, but within the group I always give my little bit to help my teammates, especially the younger ones. “Whatever the manager decides, we’re totally ready to help the team on the pitch or off it. The best thing about this team is the family we are. We trust in what we’re doing. We’re 100% now and we hope we can show it.” Fabián notes. “But there are others with experience who can step up. Rodri is the first captain, followed by Unai Simon. Mikel Oyarzabal, who may seem shy, is someone whose opinion carries weight when he speaks. Aymeric Laporte is also a key figure.”
And what about his own role? Fabián is among the few players with two consecutive Champions League titles. “Well…” he begins, which speaks volumes. “I’ve always said I am reserved. I’m not one to seek the spotlight or speak much publicly, but within the team, I always contribute to support my teammates, especially the younger ones.”
“Whatever the manager decides, we’re completely prepared to assist the team on or off the pitch. The strength of this team lies in our familial bond. We have faith in our approach. We’re 100% now, and we hope to demonstrate that.”
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