“Civil War” in Spain’s Midfield

In 2011, England produced one of the most talented midfielders in the history of the country, namely Jack Wilshere. The renowned Spanish coach, Pep Guardiola, once praised that great talent. However, according to him, the profile of such great midfielders is very common in his country.

About 15 years later, that honest opinion is once again relevant. Spain has repeatedly proven to be the best breeding ground for world-class midfielders. With two months to go before the 2026 World Cup, there are numerous options for coach Luis de la Fuente in the midfield of their national team.

Rodri, the midfielder who won the Ballon d'Or 2024, has just returned to the national team in optimal condition after facing injury issues for the past one and a half years. He immediately led "La Furia Roja" to a 3-0 victory over Serbia in a friendly match at the La Ceramica Stadium, Villarreal, Spain, on Saturday (28/3/2026).

Rodri, the star of Manchester City, has reclaimed his position as a key player that was previously taken over by Arsenal midfielder Martin Zubimendi. "He is at a level that once made him the best player in the world. He is the compass of the team. We are fortunate to have him," said De La Fuente.

Zubimendi only played as a substitute for Rodri in that match. The coach has not been able to accommodate both players due to their positional similarities. Their original positions are both as defensive midfielders, although Zubimendi has increasingly been given the freedom to advance and support the attack at the club level.

Just imagine, Spain has an irreplaceable pair of holding midfielders in the two best teams in the English Premier League at present. Whoever plays, Rodri or Zubimendi, it does not feel different because they are at the highest level. "We have two (midfielders) who are the best," said the coach.

The competition in the midfield of Spain is becoming more exciting ahead of the World Cup. In addition to the pivot position, the names of two other midfielders in the 4-3-3 formation are also not yet certain. Most recently, in the match against Serbia, Barcelona's attacking midfielder, Fermin Lopez, had the opportunity to start as a player for the first time in the national team.

The 22-year-old player has been entrusted with responsibility after impressing at the club level this season. He has become the attacking machine for Barca with contributions of 12 goals and 16 assists across all competitions since the beginning of the season. Lopez is gradually taking on the role of Dani Olmo, his senior at the club and national team.

Olmo indeed played a crucial role in Spain's success at the 2024 European Championship. However, with the current trend of performance at the club level, he risks losing his starting position in the upcoming World Cup. Lopez appears to be more likely to secure a spot in the national team's starting eleven. This signal has begun to emerge during this international break.

Lopez was only given the opportunity to play for 24 minutes in the European Championship, and that was as a substitute in the match against Albania. "To be honest, I can already imagine myself being there (in the World Cup). I am happy to be here (with the national team)," said Lopez to Catalunya Radio.

The competition for three midfield positions in "La Furia Roja" is likely to become even more intense with new ideas in De La Fuente's mind. The coach observes that Rodri and Zubimendi indeed play in the same position. However, they possess different playing characteristics.

"Indeed, Martin is now more frequently entering the penalty box and scoring goals, in addition to having the quality to maintain balance and an extraordinary tactical understanding. They can play together, but we also have many other players who are also exceptional," said De La Fuente.

If Rodri and Zubimendi play together, De La Fuente must set aside one of his favorite midfielders, namely Pedri. Pedri's role is more balanced when playing with the national team, as he often assists the holding midfielder in the midfield. Thus, unlike Lopez, who is given the freedom to play more offensively.

De La Fuente's dilemma will reach its climax at the World Cup. Two veteran midfielders who are currently absent due to injury, namely Fabian Ruiz and Mikel Merino, have a strong potential to return to the team. As is known, Ruiz and Merino have always been the mainstay of the coach for the past two years.

Among the many world-class midfielders, only three players will secure a spot in the main team. It seems that no other country possesses the luxury of a squad like theirs. This will also become the sweetest dilemma faced by De La Fuente.

The midfield is often referred to as the heart of the game. A team's dominance is determined by the battles in that line, fought by the midfielders. With exceptional quality in that position, it is only natural that "La Furia Roja" is favored to bring home the 2026 World Cup trophy from America.