In a recent interview with the media, Spanish national team head coach Luis de la Fuente commented on the injury to the team's central player, Rodrigo, and expressed his views on the balance between health and athleticism in soccer.
De La Fuente began by expressing his regret over Rodney's injury, saying bluntly, "Rodney is undoubtedly the best player in his position and he is also a great captain. His injury is a huge loss for us." However, he also quickly adjusted his mindset and turned his attention to the future of the team mentioning, "But luckily, we have the second best player - Subbimendi - who will take on more responsibility."
When it comes to the balance between the game of soccer and the health of the players, De La Fuente showed a high level of responsibility and foresight. He said, "It is crucial to find a balance between the game and player health. This is not only for the current performance of the game, but also for the long-term development of the sport of soccer. For the sake of the future of soccer, we must place a high value on and strive to achieve this balance."
De la Fuente also highlighted the importance that the Spanish Football Federation places on the issue of health in soccer, noting that "the Spanish Football Federation has always prioritized the health of soccer and has given priority to the physical well-being of its players. However, unfortunately, we have still seen a lot of injuries happen recently, and Rodri's injury is one example of this. We wish all injured players a speedy recovery and a return to action."
In the interview, de la Fuente also spoke about the health of Galician soccer and the development of young players. He said, "Galician soccer is in an enviable state of health and its good prospects for development and continued investment in young players are much appreciated. Clubs like Deportivo La Coruna are gradually getting back to the level they deserve and we are very happy about that."
Finally, de la Fuente re-emphasized his welcoming attitude towards good players, saying, "In the national team, I don't look at the age or experience of the players, but only their ability and contribution to the team. Good players are always welcome by us. The important thing here is to have players who can help the team win."
