Meet the unlikely hero Spain are counting on for Euro 2024 tie against Italy

Italy came from behind to beat Albania, while Ruiz was outstanding as Spain beat 2022 World Cup semi-finalists Croatia 3-0.

Paris Saint-Germain playmaker Ruiz, 28, set up the opener for Alvaro Morata and scored himself with a stylish finish by outplaying everyone around him, including Croatia captain Luka Modric.

This match confirmed the importance for Luis de la Fuente’s Spain team of a player who was not selected for the last World Cup by former coach Luis Enrique.

“What can I tell you about Fabian Ruiz? He’s an exceptional player, he’s at the highest level. If his name wasn’t Fabian, we would talk about him a lot more,” De la Fuente said.

“From what we have seen from him on a daily basis he is fantastic and has brilliant technique, we know what he brings to the team.

“We have to recognize his quality. He has a real imagination.”

– Back from the cold –

De la Fuente’s relationship with Ruiz dates back to his time as coach of the Spain Under-21 team – Ruiz was the star player when they won the Under-21 Euros in 2019.

It was around this time that the former Betis player made his debut in the Spanish team, and he was part of Luis Enrique’s team during the last Euro, when they traveled to Italy in the semi-final.

Yet he wasn’t a starter and Luis Enrique didn’t take him over, meaning he was out in the cold by the time the 2022 World Cup rolled around.

But Spain’s elimination in the round of 16 against Morocco led to the departure of Luis Enrique and the taking over by De la Fuente, and the new coach quickly recalled Ruiz.

“I have been with him since he was very young and his journey at club and international level has been incredible,” De la Fuente said.

“He is the embodiment of players who have worked hard in the shadows and maybe the media circus is not around him.”

It is true that Rodri, widely considered the best midfielder in the world, is attracting more attention from the Spanish team.

But Ruiz is an extremely gifted player in his prime and a key part of a team now more direct than under Luis Enrique, when their game was primarily focused on controlling possession.

Thrive at PSG

Ironically, Ruiz has thrived this season under Luis Enrique, now his coach at PSG.

He joined PSG from Naples in 2022 but has only truly settled in France since his compatriot became manager last year.

Ruiz finished the season at PSG by scoring the winning goal in the Coupe de France final against Lyon.

He scored again in Spain’s last friendly match before the Euro against Northern Ireland, before finding the net again against Croatia.

“It is important to start with a victory in the tournament, especially against a strong Croatian team,” Ruiz said after this match.

Next comes Italy, as the nations meet for a fifth consecutive European Championship.

Ruiz comes from the same tomato-growing town near Seville as 2010 World Cup winner Jesus Navas and Barcelona starlet Gavi.

After emerging at Betis, he moved to Italy with Napoli in 2018 and spent four seasons in Serie A.

There he played under Carlo Ancelotti and Gennaro Gattuso as well as Luciano Spalletti, who will be on the Italian bench on Thursday.

Heading into the Euros, Spain were widely considered to be just behind the main favorites to win the competition.

So this is a big test of their credentials.

“We have always said that our success depends on being a team. I don’t know if we are favorites or not, but we will try to fight until the end to reach the final,” Ruiz said.

(This story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)