According to the Portuguese newspaper A Bola, Luis de la Fuente felt like Don Quixote after Spain's match against Argentina.
After the match against Argentina, Luis de la Fuente felt like Don Quixote. But instead of quoting Cervantes, he quoted lyrics from his favorite singer, Julio Iglesias: "I am one of those who dream of freedom, I am a Don Quixote of an age that does not belong to any age." There is no greater freedom than to stand firm in one's beliefs, to refuse to compromise, and to win because of it; this is what leads to immortality, and immortality is not measured by the years.
Luis de la Fuente, at 65, is like a fine wine slowly maturing in an oak barrel. Like the grapes of his birthplace, La Rioja, Spain's wine capital. It's a slow process with no shortcuts, taking decades to reach its peak. His strength comes from respect for nature, from the land, from the wisdom accumulated over time, and from listening to the elders. It also comes from looking up at the sky, judging time by the sun, and living life by the moon. Growing up in the Basque Country and receiving some training at Athletic Bilbao further shaped his character. That was a historic club known for its professionalism, teamwork, and strong sense of collective identity.
This Spanish team isn't built on individualism. It's neither above nor below the sum of its parts; it is simply the sum of its parts. The driving force isn't "Spanish fury," nor is the style of play on the pitch possession-based football. It's more like alchemy, compressing everything into its simplest and most efficient form. It's about maintaining control with calm, safety, and competence at every stage of the game, making the right thoughts and decisions every second. Spain is like a reassuring driver, always showing you that they know what they're doing.
As I write this, I received news of Louis Represas's passing. But my first thought isn't of his songs, but rather of his 2010 children's book, *Tissan's Courage*. Tissan is a little seahorse who lives with his family and friends, surrounded by dangerous and frightening fish. It is through his interactions with his friends and their mutual support that Tissan discovers his inner strength. More than physical bravery or strength, the true courage this little seahorse displays comes from solidarity, empathy, and love for others.
Luis de la Fuente is like a farmer, sowing seeds in the soil at the Football Association and reaping the harvest little by little. He is a low-key, calm, and wise leader, as well as an excellent locker room manager. This reminds me of a brilliant thought by former US President Harry S. Truman: "People can achieve amazing things if they don't care who gets the credit." Generally speaking, such people prefer to enjoy the journey rather than the recognition at the finish line. Besides, the finish line is never absolute; it is always the starting point of another journey.
As early as the 6th century BC, the philosopher Lao Tzu said, "The best leader is one whose presence is barely felt; when his work is done and his goals are achieved, people will say, 'We did it ourselves.'" This is the secret of the masters. Louis de la Fuente is such a person.
