Rodri and Zubimendi: The fight for a place in the Spanish national team.

The fierce rivalry between Rodri and Martin Zubimendi is set to be one of the major talking points in Spanish football over the coming months, especially with the World Cup approaching. Last Sunday, during the thrilling Carabao Cup final at Wembley, Rodri, a player for Manchester City, showcased his class by controlling the ball and unleashing a shot aimed at the back of Kepa’s net. However, Arsenal defender Zubimendi did not hesitate to block his compatriot’s attempt, thus standing out in a confrontation that goes far beyond the pitch.

Rodri and Zubimendi are not only vying for titles in the Premier League but also for a spot in the national team’s starting eleven. Both players reported to the Spanish national team training camp in Madrid, ready for friendlies against Serbia and Egypt. “After all the setbacks he has faced, Rodrigo has returned to a high level. I’ve said before that he is the best in the world, but we are also fortunate to have Martin,” stated Luis de la Fuente, the Spanish coach, in an interview with TVE. “So, anticipating a question you are likely to ask: of course they can play together.”

However, the issue has not yet become a tangible reality in the games. De la Fuente, despite his optimistic rhetoric, has only used this combination once, during the semifinals of the Euro 2024, when Zubimendi came on in the final minutes. In most matches, the choice between the two has been inevitable, with Rodri being considered a key piece in the team’s strategy. However, his absence due to a ligament injury in the knee in September 2024 allowed Zubimendi to shine, making the idea of a midfield without Rodri feasible.

If the numbers speak for themselves, De la Fuente’s reliance on Rodri and Zubimendi is evident: since taking charge of the national team in March 2023, Spain has played without at least one of them on the field for only 268 minutes. This dominance is so pronounced that when Rodri was injured, he left a clear message to Zubimendi: “I’m leaving you the keys to the team.” This demonstrates the trust and camaraderie between the two, but also the pressure that builds as they both vie for a place in the squad for the World Cup.

Rodri, who has shared the midfield with legends like Sergio Busquets, knows that the competition is fierce. “It’s not new to me. Not long ago, it was me and Busquets. It’s a joy to have players of such high level in every position,” he commented. However, De la Fuente’s decision on how to utilize both may be complex. In the last World Cup, the solution found was to position Rodri as a central defender, an approach that seems unlikely in this edition.

“Yes, we can play this way [with a double pivot] perfectly,” De la Fuente stated in a podcast, acknowledging the versatility of the two players. “Although they occupy a similar role, they are different players with distinct characteristics.” With the friendlies approaching, there is anticipation about how the coach will solve the midfield puzzle and whether he will find the best way to integrate two of Spanish football’s biggest stars into the same team.

Next Friday, when Spain faces Serbia in Villarreal, there may be a clue about the future of the Spanish midfield and the unfolding of this rivalry that intensifies with each passing day. The duel between Rodri and Zubimendi is not just a fight for a position, but a battle for the future of the national team and a reflection of the talent that Spain continues to produce.

This article first appeared on Apito Final.