The Spanish team is experiencing hours of real shock after the unexpected announcement made by the coachLuis de la Fuenteat the press conference prior to the crucial confrontation against Georgia. The Rioja coach confirmed thatfour players have been excludedof the alignment for the party, a decision that he described as necessary, non-negotiable and motivated by a“extremely shocking” reason. However, what has really ignited the debate in Spanish football is thatthree of these four players belong to Real Madridand, furthermore, they are considered key players in both their club and the national team.
The news fell like a bucket of cold water among journalists, fans and analysts. Nobody expected such drastic movements so few hours before an official match, especially in the case of footballers who are usually considered untouchable. But De la Fuente was firm from the first minute of his speech. “Here no one is above the national team. And when something does not fit with the values we defend, we must act without hesitation,” he stated with a serious gesture.
Although the coach avoided giving explicit details, internal sources have leaked fragments of what happened during the concentration. According to what has been learned, the trigger would have beena series of disciplinary incidents, which began as simple lack of punctuality and led to behavior that the coaching staff considered unacceptable. It talks aboutinattention attitudes, lack of commitment in trainingand even a heated discussion between two of the Madrid players, which would have generated a tense atmosphere within the group.
The situation worsened during the last training session, which had to be briefly stopped due to the behavior of one of those involved. The technical assistants were the first to intervene, but in the end it was De la Fuente who decided to put an end to the session and call an urgent meeting with the players involved. After that internal meeting, the coach made the final decision: the four players would be left out of the lineup for the duel against Georgia.
The names were not officially revealed – as the coach usually does to protect the internal dynamics – but the sports press was quick to point out three Real Madrid players whose absence in the subsequent session drew considerable attention. These players, usually undisputed starters, were not part of the final tactical work, thus confirming the rumors.
The reaction of the fans has been as intense as it is polarized. Some Real Madrid fans have harshly criticized the decision, claiming that it is an exaggerated punishment, while others defend that the coach must maintain order above all else. On social networks, the debate has become a national trend, with thousands of messages analyzing every available piece of information and trying to reconstruct what really happened at the rally.
Soccer experts have given their own interpretations. Some believe that De la Fuente’s decision is a clear message for the locker room:The selection is a space of maximum demand, without privileges or exceptions. Others believe that this measure could have a significant sporting cost, especially considering the weight of the players sidelined. “It’s a risky bet,” said a well-known television analyst. “But it is also an act of authority that can strengthen the group if the collective response is positive.”
The team’s own players would have shown different reactions. According to sources close to the team, several veteran footballers would have supported the coach’s firmness, pointing out that coexistence in the locker room had been affected in recent days. Others, especially the younger ones, were surprised and worried by the magnitude of the decision, although they all agreed on the need to maintain concentration for the game.
De la Fuente, for his part, has not shown doubts at any time. “I do not work to satisfy external expectations. My responsibility is to ensure that the group is committed, focused and united. Only then can we compete at the highest level,” he stated forcefully. He also clarified that this exclusion does not mean a definitive break with the affected players, but he did make it clear that their return will depend on a clear rectification in their attitude and professionalism.
With the game against Georgia approaching, the questions multiply: how will this decision affect Spain’s performance? Will the team feel the absence of figures who usually make a difference? Or will this internal crisis be the necessary impetus to strengthen the group’s cohesion?
The truth is that the national team is at the center of everyone’s attention. The match against Georgia is now presented not only as a sporting challenge, but as a collective test. Under the direction of Luis de la Fuente, it has been demonstrated thatno one is untouchable, not even the stars of the most powerful club in the country. And while the debate continues, the ball will be the one who dictates the last word on whether this brave – and controversial – decision was really the right one.