Ruiz Ready to Shine Again for Spain Against Italy
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| Fabian Ruiz |
The face-off between the reigning European champions and the three-time winners in Gelsenkirchen is the highlight of the tournament's opening round. With the top spot in Group B on the line, both teams are eager to secure an easier path to the last-16 draw after their initial victories.
Italy's comeback win against Albania showcased their resilience, while Spain's dominant 3-0 win over Croatia highlighted Ruiz's brilliance. The Paris Saint-Germain playmaker, 28, was instrumental, setting up Alvaro Morata's opener and scoring a goal himself with a stylish finish. His performance eclipsed even that of Croatia's captain, Luka Modric.
Ruiz's importance to Luis de la Fuente's Spain squad was cemented in this game. Despite not being selected for the last World Cup by former coach Luis Enrique, Ruiz has proven his worth. "What can I tell you about Fabian Ruiz? He's an exceptional player at the top level. If he wasn't called Fabian, you would be talking a lot more about him," De la Fuente remarked.
"Based on what we've seen from him daily, he's fantastic and has brilliant technique. We know what he brings to the team. We should recognize the quality that he has. He has real imagination," De la Fuente added.
Back from the Cold
De la Fuente's relationship with Ruiz dates back to their time with Spain's Under-21 team, where Ruiz was the standout player in their 2019 Under-21 Euros triumph. It was around this time that Ruiz, then at Real Betis, broke into the senior Spain squad and played in the last Euros, where Spain was eliminated by Italy in the semi-finals.
Although Ruiz was not a regular starter under Luis Enrique and was left out of the 2022 World Cup squad, Spain's early exit from that tournament led to Enrique's departure and De la Fuente's appointment. The new coach quickly recalled Ruiz, recognizing his talent and potential.
"I've been with him since he was very young, and his pathway at club and international level has been incredible," said De la Fuente. "He's the embodiment of players who have been working hard in the shadows, often unnoticed by the media."
While Rodri, widely regarded as the world's best holding midfielder, often receives more attention, Ruiz remains a pivotal figure in Spain's squad. His skill and vision are key to a team that now plays a more direct style under De la Fuente, contrasting with the possession-focused approach of Luis Enrique.
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| Fabian Ruiz |
Flourishing at PSG
Ironically, Fabian Ruiz has flourished this season under Luis Enrique, now his coach at PSG. Ruiz, who joined PSG from Napoli in 2022, has truly settled in France since his compatriot took charge last year. His season culminated with scoring the winner in the French Cup final against Lyon.
Ruiz continued his fine form by scoring in Spain's final pre-Euros friendly against Northern Ireland and netting again in their opener against Croatia. "It's important to start with a win in the tournament, especially against a strong Croatia team," Ruiz remarked after the game.
Next, Spain faces Italy in a match marking their fifth consecutive meeting at a European Championship. Ruiz hails from a tomato-producing town near Seville, the same hometown as 2010 World Cup-winner Jesus Navas and Barcelona starlet Gavi.
Having begun his career at Betis, Ruiz moved to Napoli in 2018 and spent four seasons in Serie A. During his time in Italy, he played under Carlo Ancelotti, Gennaro Gattuso, and Luciano Spalletti—who will be on the Italy bench on Thursday.
As Spain entered Euro 2024, they were seen as strong contenders, just behind the top favorites to win the competition. This match against Italy is a significant test of their credentials. "We have always said our success comes down to being a team. I don't know if we're favorites or not, but we'll try to fight to the end to get to the final," Ruiz stated.
