EXCLUSIVE: Mendieta dubs current Spain side as talented as 2010 World Cup winners

[p]We’re just a month away from the start of the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Mexico, and Canada, and without a doubt, [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/spain/bLyo6mco/"]Spain[/a] are one of the top favourites to lift their second World Cup trophy.[/p][p]And that's no surprise. With [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/rodri/K0G8DB00/"]Rodri[/a] (even if he’s not at 100% in terms of match fitness), [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/pedri/baBG8QuI/"]Pedri[/a], [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/williams-nico/Cp7lcVjJ/"]Nico Williams[/a], and [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/lamine-yamal/lAt3vEub/"]Lamine Yamal[/a], Luis de la Fuente has plenty of options on hand.[/p][p][b]To discuss the current state of the national team, Flashscore spoke with [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/mendieta-gaizka/G42Xs6B5/"]Gaizka Mendieta[/a], who represented LaLiga at Rushbet’s first official event in Peru.[/b][/p][p]Below are the thoughts of the midfielder who wore the shirts of [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/castellon/QyHHzdwl/"]Castellon[/a], [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/valencia/CQeaytrD/"]Valencia[/a], [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/barcelona/SKbpVP5K/"]Barcelona[/a], [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/lazio/URcSl02h/"]Lazio[/a], [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/middlesbrough/6F0lvLNC/"]Middlesbrough[/a], and Spain.[/p][image alt="Mendieta received the UEFA award for best midfielder in the 2000-2001 season" id="c3814da8-1cf5-40ce-8d8d-a8748256fb33" credit-line="UEFA/AFP" guid="5dc91e39-1751-4fea-9f17-275dfbf10dd5" original-width="768" original-height="511" /][p][b]How do you assess the current state of the Spanish national team?[/b][/p][p]"There’s some uncertainty, but we’re going to see a successful team because they’ve already shown it in the Nations League; they know what it takes to win. Hopefully, the players arrive in good form so they can show all their quality."[/p][p][b]How has Luis de la Fuente influenced the Spanish squad?[/b][/p][p]"He’s brought the freshness that was needed to a group that’s already been very successful. He’s managed the human side well, created a great atmosphere, and helped these young players develop the tools to showcase their individual talent.[/p][p]"We’ve seen players like Lamine, Nico (Williams), [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/fermin/2c2ipETG/"]Fermin[/a], Pedri, [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/cubarsi-pau/UgTrNwCF/"](Pau) Cubarsi[/a]… players who are important at their clubs and who have improved thanks to this national team structure."[/p][p][b]Does this team compare with the 2010 World Cup-winning side?[/b][/p][p]"Yes, in terms of individual talent, I think so; in terms of system, they’re different. In Spain, we’re privileged because our clubs produce so much talent, which gives the national team and the coach a wide range of players to choose from."[/p][image alt="Lamine Yamal during the international friendly match between Spain and Egypt" id="07bf0dce-2f01-4525-a1e9-3a70a350af44" credit-line="GONGORA / NURPHOTO / NURPHOTO VIA AFP" guid="26b5d6b7-1023-4564-a4b1-bbdcc256a066" original-width="6000" original-height="4000" /][p][b]How do you see Rodri’s situation, given he’s not yet back to 100% fitness with Manchester City?[/b][/p][p]"He’s had a serious injury (he recovered from a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee), which hasn’t allowed him the continuity we’d all like. We’ll see how he arrives… I think if he’s fit, he’s a key player and an undisputed leader in the starting 11."[/p][p][b]Besides Lamine Yamal, which other young player do you like?[/b][/p][p]"Pedri is a game-changer! The way Spain play with him on the pitch compared to without him… Pedri controls the tempo that football needs. Football isn’t just about intensity or speed; you need that 'pause', and Pedri knows how to provide it."[/p][p][b]Who could be Spain’s breakout player?[/b][/p][p]"Maybe overall, [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/oyarzabal-mikel/dQ1P695O/"]Mikel Oyarzabal[/a] is a player not many people know because he plays for Real Sociedad. Internationally, he doesn’t have the same name recognition as Lamine Yamal or Pedri, but he could surprise people with his performances."[/p][image alt="Oyarzabal's stats in LaLiga this season" id="f86f5a19-2662-48df-addb-a1eae0bcccea" credit-line="Opta by StatsPerform (Mutsu Kawamori / AFLO / Profimedia)" guid="e0d7263a-c34a-4eb8-8201-aa4ce0ee2181" original-width="1080" original-height="1080" /][p][b]With so many teams participating (48), has the World Cup lost some of its exclusivity?[/b][/p][p]"FIFA has opened the door to more competitors, and that’s what they’ve achieved."[/p][p][b]Which team do you see as the favourite for this World Cup?[/b][/p][p]"Obviously, [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/france/QkGeVG1n/"]France[/a], for what they’ve done and are doing; [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/argentina/f9OppQjp/"]Argentina[/a] - as long as Leo ([a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/messi-lionel/vgOOdZbd/"]Messi[/a]) is there, you have to include them; [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/brazil/I9l9aqLq/"]Brazil[/a] as well; and Spain is also among the favourites."[/p]