The special case of Zubimendi in La Roja: “Sometimes it is not easy to come to the national team playing a few minutes”

Not even a nasal fracture prevents Zubimendi from working as Zubimendi. That is, being there when Luis de la Fuente needs him. "The mask, better than I expected; I'm getting used to it. I wanted to gain minutes and sensations, as sometimes it's not easy to come to the national team playing just a few minutes, and play a game against a serious rival like the Czech Republic," said the midfielder after the victory against the Czech Republic in Prague (0-2).

De la Fuente does not exaggerate when he boasts of having the best players in the world. Just look at the goal: Unai Simón does not move from the eleven no matter how much his squires are Joan Garcia, League champion with Barcelona, ​​and David Raya, Premier champion with Arsenal. But there is one case in which De la Fuente exhibits absolute faith: that of Zubimendi. The one from Donostia has had to coincide with one of the best pivots in the history of the national team, if not the best: Rodri Hernández, Ballon d'Or in 2024 after the Berlin European Championship and chosen best player of the 2026 World Cup. A long shadow.

De la Fuente always opted for Zubimendi. He has known him since La Rojita, when the midfielder took his first steps in the Real Sociedad youth team. He defended him when he was shining in Anoeta and he defends him now, when he is having a tough time in London: he has only played 380 minutes in 12 games for Arteta's Arsenal so far this season. So, when Rodri was dropped from the list due to a muscle injury suffered in the duel against Aston Villa on November 3, the coach did not hesitate: the replacement would be the same as always. "Many of you tell me that there are players who play better in the national team than in their club. And Martín is that guy. He understands his role perfectly. When he plays, when he doesn't play... It's lucky to have this type of footballers with us," he highlighted before the game.

Zubimendi responded on the field. "We knew we had to play a very serious game. They had chances, but then we turned it around," he analyzed. Álex Baena, who scored the first goal of the match, added: “From the inside we were calm, we had it under control.” De la Fuente, for his part, concluded: The key has been that we played a very serious match against a difficult opponent. It is the meeting we had planned. The result would have been bigger if the finish had been better.”

The La Roja coach also confirmed that for the last game of the group stage against England next Sunday he will be able to count on Lamine Yamal. “We have good news, Lamine is feeling very well, eager to join the concentration and Mikel Oyarzabal too. Tomorrow we will count on them," he revealed. And with Zubimendi, of course. With or without rhythm, he once again makes Rodri's absence invisible. This time, in the cold of Prague and with an ostentatious mask.