Spain's national team is about to face England in the opening match of the UEFA Nations League. Before the match, Miguel Oyarzabal gave an interview to El País, Spain's leading newspaper, about the team's success, coach Luis de la Fuente, and his understanding of collective football.

Can you explain why this Spanish team has been so successful?

Miguel Oyarzabal said: "Nothing happens by chance. We've built this step by step over many years. We're a team that prioritizes collective play, where every player commits fully for the team's benefit rather than pursuing individual interests."

How important has Luis de la Fuente been in this process? What sets him apart from other coaches?

Miguel Oyarzabal said: "Luis has known many of our players for a long time. Most of them played in the World Cup and European Championship, and he's known them for nine or ten years. This bond makes everything easier later on. When you face setbacks and need to rely on those relationships, it becomes simpler to overcome them."

Is this relationship what makes players willing to give extra effort for the coach?

Miguel Oyarzabal said: "The trust and understanding built over many years is a special motivation. The same applies to our teammates. When you're in a good atmosphere with strong relationships, it doesn't matter who's around you because everyone values collective play, and you're always able to give more."

During the World Cup, you once said that sometimes not touching the ball or staying out of the attack can help the team more than anything else. Does this relate to collective consciousness?

Miguel Oyarzabal said: "Many times, the best option a player can make is not to touch the ball, not to get in the way of the teammate who needs to receive it, or the one already holding it. This way, you create space or help others through your movement. A match lasts 90 minutes, and the ball is at your feet for at most one or two minutes. The rest of the time you're running and doing things for your teammates. We should value these things more."

When did you realize this?

Miguel Oyarzabal said: "It comes from my understanding of football since childhood and the football education I received. I started playing at Athletic Bilbao and then went to Real Sociedad. Both experiences influenced me. Also, after my injury, when you can't play for a long time and can only watch from the sidelines, you see things differently. This changes some of your perspectives or makes you want to improve things you never thought needed improving before."

What was it like during your recovery? Did you watch more matches?

Miguel Oyarzabal said: "Every weekend you watch your team's match from the stands or on television. When you play normally, you never get used to watching that way. That's when you notice many things."

What did you miss most while recovering from your injury?

Miguel Oyarzabal said: "The things that seemed so normal: coming here, training for a week, everything prepared for you, people always working for you; training, being with teammates, even just getting on the bus to go to the stadium."

Which players did you follow as a kid?

Miguel Oyarzabal said: "When I started playing, Xabi Alonso was still at Real Sociedad. Shortly after, David Silva was loaned to Athletic Bilbao for a year. I always went to watch matches with my father. As I got older, Xabi Prieto became my role model, and later I got to play with David Silva as well."

They were all midfielders.

Miguel Oyarzabal said: "Of course you follow Messi and Ronaldo—players with incredible statistics who score goals. When you're a kid, those are the most interesting aspects of football. But ultimately, football is a team sport. No matter how well you perform individually, for you to be happy at the end of the season or tournament, the team has to win."

You scored five goals in the World Cup but weren't included in the Ballon d'Or top 30. Did that surprise you?

Miguel Oyarzabal said: "Not at all, because I feel I've received a lot of love and recognition."

You studied business administration, but you don't seem interested in marketing at all. Didn't you choose that specialization?

Miguel Oyarzabal said: "Back then we could choose a specific specialization, and I didn't choose marketing. I chose finance. To be honest, I've never really liked marketing. It's another way of communicating, making money, and becoming known—a world that's different for me."

Have you ever thought you could earn much more if you managed yourself like an influencer on social media?

Miguel Oyarzabal said: "Maybe I could earn more that way, but it wouldn't suit me. I'd feel uncomfortable doing it, and I wouldn't be as happy with life as I am today. That said, I enjoy watching young people do what they do. I like seeing different personalities and how different people view life."

So you're interested in watching Nico and Lamine Yamal do funny things, right?

Miguel Oyarzabal said: "Yes, but if I had to be with them all year, I don't know if I could handle it. For a while, though, it's fine..." (laughs)

As team captain, when facing a rising star like Lamine Yamal, have you ever thought, 'How can I help him?' and felt a sense of responsibility?

Miguel Oyarzabal said: "Not really. Most of the issues I see are outside of football rather than within it. As for his play on the pitch, given his performances, there's very little we can help him with. What he does on the field comes from him. But off the pitch, I can give him four or five pieces of advice."

What kind of advice?

Miguel Oyarzabal said: "Often it's just about keeping your mind calm. He's 19 years old and he lives intensely. Like with football, as time passes, you gradually understand what football is and that it's also a business. You have to do what you love, do what you think is right at every moment, and that's it. Don't let yourself panic."

When Luis de la Fuente praised you, saying you deserve more attention, did you feel proud or uncomfortable?

Miguel Oyarzabal said: "I felt proud. It shows that people who understand football and are in the football world see the good things I do. Of course, I won't tell others not to talk about me. It's nice that they do, but I won't boast about it either."

A few days ago, Luis de la Fuente recalled that after Spain beat Argentina in the World Cup final, one player came up to him and said: 'We've won everything. What else is there to win?' After winning the World Cup, how does a team start fresh?

Miguel Oyarzabal said: "You're in this cycle. There's no choice but to compete again. You still want to win because what you won two months ago won't help you win the match tomorrow. If you don't win tomorrow, you won't think about the victory from two months ago. You'll remember tomorrow's match instead."

You've gone 38 consecutive official matches without a loss. Does the team talk about losing?

Miguel Oyarzabal said: "The more you win, the closer the next loss gets. We hope we can maintain this for as long as possible. We believe we're on the right path."

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