‘Pedri can’t play for us the way he plays for Barçelona’ – Spain boss Luis de la Fuente

Spain boss Luis de la Fuente has been talking about Pedri after dropping the Barcelona midfielder from his starting XI for the quarter-final win over Belgium.

Pedri is yet to show his best form at the tournament and De la Fuente says he can’t play for the national team the same way he does for his club side.

“Pedri can’t play for us the way he plays for Barça. Our style of play is different. We might have some similarities, but it’s different,” he told El Larguero.

De la Fuente went on to say that playing for Spain “demands something different” and that the national team “has a different approach to football” than Barcelona.

He also added: “I’ve spoken with him and he feels very comfortable when he has a final pass, a shot, and a run into the box.

“We have players like Rodri or Zubimendi, who influence the behavior of the player next to him. Pedri, because of his ability and talent, can play as a ‘6’, ‘8’, or ’10’.”

De la Fuente did go on to back Pedri, saying “I love how he plays for Barça and how he plays for the national team.”

Spain take on France next in the semi-finals of World Cup 2026 but we will have to wait and see if Pedri is restored to the starting XI for the match.