Fabian Ruiz is having a rather unusual 2026 World Cup with Spain. Long considered an undisputed starter for La Roja, the PSG midfielder now has to deal with a more discreet role. It is a new situation, but one the Paris player seems to be accepting with great maturity.
One small start, then straight to the bench. Very impressive during Euro 2024, won by Spain, Fabian Ruiz naturally hoped to confirm his status on the world stage. But his preparation was disrupted by a knee injury that troubled him for much of the second half of the season with Paris Saint-Germain. As a result, the Spanish midfielder did not arrive at this World Cup in optimal physical condition.
Fabian Ruiz adjusts to a reduced role with Spain
He started Spain’s opening match against Cape Verde (0-0), but Fabian Ruiz then saw Luis de la Fuente change his plans. The 30-year-old gradually slipped onto the bench, playing only 20 minutes against Saudi Arabia, 30 minutes against Uruguay, one minute against Austria and then five minutes against Portugal, as L’Équipe recalls.
But this loss of status does not appear to have caused frustration for the Parisian number 8. In an interview with The Guardian, Fabian Ruiz delivered a very collective message: “It is not important to know who plays, the important thing is that we support each other.”
Absent from the 2022 World Cup, back when Luis Enrique was in charge, Fabian Ruiz is finally discovering the tournament. But his first experience has been made more complicated by his physical issues. In an interview with EFE, he looked back on that difficult spell: “At first, there was a bit of uncertainty because we did not know what the injury was. It just seemed like a knock, and we only understood how serious it was later. The worst thing was that there was no precise timeframe for a return. I came home frustrated, with pain every day. It hurt even when I climbed the stairs,” he explained.
The PSG player also spoke about the support of those close to him during that complicated period: “It was hard for the people who lived with me, but at the same time, they gave me strength. Once I saw the light at the end of the tunnel, everything became calmer.” Now Fabian Ruiz knows he can still have an impact at this World Cup, even as a substitute. The Spain coach also made a point of underlining Fabian Ruiz’s place in his squad: “I have a very close relationship with Fabian, with mutual trust for many years. And he remains just as important, whether he starts matches or not.”
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