In the vibrant atmosphere of the 2024/25 UEFA Nations League, Spain suffered a bitter defeat against Portugal, trailing 2-2 after 90 minutes and extra time, before losing 3-5 in the penalty shootout. The match, which took place at the Allianz Arena, left many Spanish fans feeling confused, especially when Real Madrid president Florentino Pérez suddenly criticized Barcelona’s players, saying they were the main cause of the team’s failure.

Immediately after the match, Pérez was reported to have said in an interview: “Barcelona’s players are not qualified to play in the final. They lack assertiveness and courage in decisive moments.” Criticism was directed at stars such as Lamine Yamal, Pedri, Gavi, Fermín Lápez, and Pau Cubarsí, who were present in the Spanish squad but failed to help the home side win. In particular, Pérez emphasized that these players’ play lacks stability and does not meet the expectations of a top-flight match.

Pérez’s speech was immediately controversial, especially given that the Spanish team also includes many Real Madrid players, such as Dani Carvajal and Dean Huijsen, yet he is not mentioned in the criticism. Many people believe this is a move to attack Barcelona’s opponent, who is enjoying a successful season under the guidance of coach Hansi Fiorentino. However, this statement has met with strong reaction from Spanish coach Luis de la Fuente.

At the post-match press conference, De La Fuente didn’t hesitate to respond: “I respect all ideas, but blaming a group of players is unfair. Spain is a team, and we lose because of small details, not because of a lack of qualifications. Barcelona’s players have played excellently, from Lamine Yamal with two goals against France, to Pedri, playing a key role in the middle of my students.” De La Fuente’s sharp response led the audience to believe he had forced Pérez to “shut up” and protect the honor of Barcelona’s young players.

The tension between Pérez and de la Fuente isn’t the first time it’s surfaced. Previously, De La Fuente was criticized by Real Madrid media for not calling up former stars like Sergio Ramos, but he always maintained a team built on solidarity and talent. The defeat against Portugal, though unfortunate, still showed that Spain was a potential team, and De La Fuente confirmed that he wouldn’t change his philosophy despite the criticism.

This incident not only inflamed the dispute between Real Madrid and Barcelona, ​​but also sparked a debate about the role of young players in the national team. While Pérez remained silent after De La Fuente’s comments, fans waited to see if this conflict would affect the Spanish team’s morale in upcoming tournaments.