Spain coach De la Fuente brings World Cup trophy to AS newsroom: 'When Ferran scored, I felt closest to happiness'

Updated: July 23, 2026 — 10:43 CEST

By: Ignacio Camacho & Juanma Leiva

The World Cup crossed the doors of the AS newsroom this Thursday, carried by Luis de la Fuente — the man who guided Spain's National Team to the pinnacle of world football. He chose this newspaper for his first visit to a media outlet after winning the title just four days ago.

A champion and a trophy now etched into Spanish sports history.

"Some colleagues have already asked me for the next one (laughs). There has been suffering, but suffering with work and hope is not suffering," the coach said as he entered the newsroom.

A Celebration in the Newsroom

De la Fuente's arrival transformed the newsroom into a place of celebration. The Cup drew all eyes, but so did its bearer. Amid applause, greetings, and photographs, the coach shared a few minutes with the AS staff in a close, warm atmosphere — marked by the satisfaction of a job well done and pride in a new success for Spanish football.

"I try to be fair when I see criticism with bad intentions; life later gives you opportunities, so I am especially happy for Ferran. His story reminds me of Morata. In the face of injustice, he said: here I am. "

Reflections on the Final

With his characteristic naturalness, De la Fuente spoke to AS journalists, posed with the trophy, and toured the newsroom — where conversations flowed about the path to the title and the meaning of a championship that once again places Spain at the top.

"The coexistence has been fantastic; that's what happens with good people. When Ferran scored, I felt the closest thing to happiness; and when I lifted the Cup, I felt content, satisfied, and proud. And happy for the country. "

A Journey Built Step by Step

The journey to winning the World Cup has been that of a team that grew from the conviction of its coach. De la Fuente, who climbed step by step through the lower categories of the RFEF — winning European Championships and Olympic medals and shaping much of the generation that now reigns in the world — culminated this success with a career built without shortcuts.

The World Cup represents the pinnacle of a years-long path, of trust in an idea and a way of understanding football that has finally found its greatest reward.

"I haven't had to watch the final again, but the feeling was that we were far superior. Four years ago, during my previous visit, I didn't expect to get here, but the path is made step by step. With what we had, we were going to fight for it."

A Symbolic Gesture

The visit also leaves a symbolic image: that of the champion sharing his success with AS before any other media outlet — a gesture that reinforces the bond between the coach and this newspaper on a day that will be remembered.

The champion's first media destination was AS. And, for a few minutes, the most coveted trophy in football found a home in the house of sports.

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