Spain manager Luis de la Fuente has named Arsenal midfielder Martin Zubimendi as the second-best player in the world in his position, trailing only Rodri. The assessment follows Spain’s World Cup victory over Argentina, where Rodri secured the tournament’s Golden Ball as the best player.
Football intelligence is a high bar, but for Luis de la Fuente, doubting the influence of Rodri is an affront
to it. After guiding Spain to a World Cup title with a 1-0 extra-time victory over Argentina, the national team manager used a discussion with TVE to solidify the hierarchy of the world’s best holding midfielders. While Rodri remains the undisputed benchmark, the rise of Arsenal’s Martin Zubimendi has provided Spain with a world-class alternative.
The Hierarchy of Midfield: Rodri and Zubimendi
The gap between the world’s best and the rest is narrow, yet De la Fuente is clear on the ranking. Rodri, who previously claimed the 2024 Ballon d’Or, is the gold standard. Even while recovering from an ACL injury last year, the Manchester City midfielder’s dominance was evident throughout the tournament.
“He improved game by game, and the fact is that Rodri, even at 50 per cent, is better than many other players.”
Luis de la Fuente, Spain head coach
Behind Rodri stands Zubimendi, who De la Fuente describes as surely the second best in the world
. Despite the high praise, Zubimendi’s role in the World Cup was largely supportive.
Zubimendi’s Arsenal Debut and Premier League Success
The international endorsement follows a dominant first campaign in English football. Zubimendi joined Arsenal and immediately became a fixture in the starting lineup, appearing in all 38 Premier League matches. His contributions were vital in helping Mikel Arteta’s side secure their first league title since 2003.
His statistical impact at the club level provides the foundation for De la Fuente’s confidence. During that debut season, the 26-year-old scored five goals, establishing himself as one of the most influential players in the Gunners’ midfield.
The 2026 Ballon d’Or Race and Individual Honors
The World Cup final has shifted the landscape for the 2026 Ballon d’Or. Rodri enters the conversation as a strong candidate for a second award after winning the World Cup Golden Ball. However, he is not the only star with a claim to the title. nbcsports.com notes that the race remains open, with players like Kylian Mbappe and Erling Haaland in the mix.
Mbappe, who scored 10 goals in his World Cup campaign, continues to chase a first Ballon d’Or. While he has a prolific scoring record—0.75 goals per game across 577 total games—he has lacked the major team trophies to match his individual brilliance, with his only World Cup triumph coming in 2018. In contrast, Ousmane Dembele won the most recent award in 2025 after winning a European Cup with PSG.
| Player | Key 2025-2026 Achievements | Ballon d’Or Status |
|---|---|---|
| Rodri | World Cup Winner, Golden Ball Winner | Previous 2024 Winner |
| Martin Zubimendi | World Cup Winner, Premier League Champion | Rising Contender |
| Kylian Mbappe | World Cup Golden Boot contender, La Liga goal leader | Career-achievement candidate |
| Ousmane Dembele | European Cup Winner | 2025 Winner |
Post-Match Tension and Argentina Confrontations
The triumph was not without friction. Following the conclusion of the final, reports emerged of violent incidents instigated by Argentina’s players and coaching staff. De la Fuente did not mince words when addressing these events during his interview with TVE.
“That is intolerable, unacceptable, and cannot be allowed.”
Luis de la Fuente, Spain head coach
While the on-field tension provided a stark contrast to the celebration, the tactical success of the Spanish midfield remains the story. The synergy between Rodri and other key components, such as Fabian Ruiz—who also won the Champions League with PSG—allowed Spain to control the tempo of the tournament.
Zubimendi now returns to Arsenal to defend a Premier League title, carrying the weight of being named the second-best midfielder on the planet. For Rodri, the focus shifts to whether voters will make him the 11th multi-time winner of the Ballon d’Or.
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