Spain manager Luis de la Fuente recently compared Real Sociedad midfielder Martin Zubimendi to Manchester City’s Rodri, ranking him as the second-best in the world in his position—right after the City star. This high praise comes as Zubimendi continues to impress for both club and country.
Zubimendi made headlines once again, scoring the decisive goal in Spain’s Nations League victory over Denmark on Saturday. The 25-year-old was a vital part of Spain’s European Championship triumph last summer, featuring in all but three matches. Although Liverpool showed serious interest in signing him over the summer, the transfer never materialized, and Zubimendi remained at Real Sociedad. He’s also been on the radar of Arsenal and Manchester United in the past.
De la Fuente, in his post-match press conference, praised Zubimendi’s poise and footballing intelligence. “We know he’s a player you can always count on. He plays with such calmness and composure, always making smart decisions,” the Spain coach said, as quoted by Guillem Balague.
He went on to add: “In the second half, it felt like the entire team was playing better. Whether it was because Zubimendi raised his game or the team collectively improved, it’s hard to say. But he’s always a reliable choice, always delivers what you need, and his talent is exceptional.
“He’s not known for scoring, but lately he’s found the back of the net more often for us, and we hope that continues. He’s a great player. In my opinion, he’s one of the best—second only to Rodri.”
Meanwhile, Rodri has been sidelined after suffering a ligament injury during Manchester City’s 2-2 draw with Arsenal in September. City manager Pep Guardiola confirmed the midfielder will be out for an extended period following surgery, a major blow as the Premier League champions look to defend their title and make another deep run in the Champions League.
This season might mark a crucial moment for Guardiola and his team, which includes veteran stars like Kevin De Bruyne, as they push for European glory. Having reached the final in 2023, Manchester City are once again chasing the elusive Champions League trophy, facing tough competition from clubs like Inter Milan, Juventus, and Paris Saint-Germain in the revamped 36-team format. With the stakes higher than ever, City are determined to go all the way in what could be a defining campaign for Guardiola’s era.
