Is Coach Luis de la Fuente Showing Favoritism Against Real Madrid Players?
Nachito TV ignites debate:
“Gonzalo García has played five senior matches, five more at the Club World Cup, and one in the Copa del Rey. Meanwhile, Lamine Yamal only needed five games to get called up to the national team.
When your name is Gavi, Pedri, or Cubarsí, things seem more affectionate… Maybe Gonzalo should call himself ‘Gonzi’ to get noticed.”
What’s the issue?
Nachito TV is subtly criticizing Spain’s national team coach Luis de la Fuente, suggesting that he applies different standards for players depending on which club they come from — particularly favoring Barcelona talents over Real Madrid prospects.
He highlights the fact that:
- Gonzalo García, a promising Madrid youngster, has featured in multiple high-level matches, including the prestigious Club World Cup, yet has not received a national team call-up.
- On the other hand, Lamine Yamal was fast-tracked into the national squad after just five games for Barça.
- Youngsters like Gavi, Pedri, and Cubarsí were also brought into the senior national team early — despite limited top-flight experience at the time.
This sparks the feeling that Barça players are treated with more leniency or preference, while Madrid talents have to work harder and wait longer for the same recognition.
Coach De la Fuente Responds
Luis de la Fuente recently addressed the situation in a way that some found dismissive or overly cautious:
“We need to give each player their right moment.
Gonzalo hasn’t played a single minute in La Liga yet. The Spanish national team is made up of top-level players with incredible careers. You must earn the chance to be part of it.”
He added that Gonzalo is still being closely followed, saying:
“He could be a big player in the future… I hope we see many talents like Gonzalo, Huijsen, and Cubarsí joining the cause.”
The Double Standard Debate
While the coach claims to be cautious and merit-based in his selections, critics are pointing out a clear contradiction:
- If players must “earn their spot,” why were Lamine, Cubarsí, and others selected before proving themselves extensively at the top level?
- Why are some players given opportunities based on potential, while others (like Gonzalo) are told to wait, despite similar or even greater exposure?
This has led many fans, especially from the Madrid camp, to suspect institutional bias — where Barcelona-affiliated players are given a faster track to international success.
Bottom Line
Coach De la Fuente insists he’s being fair and planning long-term. However, the inconsistent selection criteria raise serious questions. Whether it’s actual favoritism or just perceived bias, there’s no doubt this is a hot-button issue — one that reflects deeper tensions in Spanish football’s club loyalties and youth development paths.
