Luis de la Fuente is drawing attention for something rare in modern sports: a coach talking about faith without turning it into a victory speech. As Spain pushed through the 2026 World Cup, he made it clear that his prayers are rooted in gratitude, health, and daily life, not in trying to force a result on the field.
During a July 13 press conference, a reporter asked him what he was praying for before Spain’s semifinal against France. De la Fuente answered plainly that his prayers are not tied to the scoreboard, and he said he thanks God every morning for being alive, healthy, and able to enjoy another day.
“I pray every day, but not because I’m at a World Cup or because I’m trying to get a certain result,” the coach said. “I thank Him every day, every day when I wake up, that I’m well. (That I can) look at myself and say, ‘Another day I can enjoy life.’ I’m grateful for those little things.
“And I pray every day — not to ask for more help … it would be unfair to ask Him to help me and not help my opponent,” he added. “I ask for other things — especially good health — and whatever else gives me the chance to keep fighting.”
That answer landed because it was so different from the usual sports talk. Instead of leaning on superstition or treating prayer like a lucky charm, De la Fuente spoke like someone whose faith is part of everyday rhythm, not something he pulls out only when the stakes get bigger.
Spain backed up that moment with a strong performance, shutting out France 2-0 and booking a place in the World Cup final against Argentina on Sunday, July 19. The team had already built momentum under De la Fuente after winning the 2024 UEFA Euro championship, which only sharpened the spotlight on his leadership and calm public witness.
His faith has been in the open for a while. In 2024, he said making the Sign of the Cross before games “is not superstition, it is faith,” a line that cut through the usual noise around athletes and pregame rituals.
He has also spoken more deeply about belief beyond the stadium. In a 2023 interview with Spanish newspaper El Mundo, he said there are “a thousand reasons to believe in God” and that without Him “nothing in life has meaning.”
That kind of language feels refreshingly direct, especially in a culture that often treats open religiosity like something odd or outdated. De la Fuente does not hide behind vague spirituality, and he does not try to make faith sound trendy, either.
The same theme shows up in other athletes who are not shy about giving God credit. Former Indiana University quarterback Fernando Mendoza, a devout Catholic, brought that same unmistakable voice to college football and later to the NFL stage, making gratitude part of his public image in a way that stood out fast.
“This season is the season I’ve gotten the closest, the most religious I’ve ever been, and I think it’s also reflected in the success, not just the success but also the platform to praise God and to praise Jesus Christ,” Mendoza in a pregame interview before the championship game.
Mendoza also pointed to the priests at Indiana University as an important part of his life, saying they helped him with confession, conversation, and Mass each Sunday. “I really give a lot that I have accomplished this season in my life to the Lord. I really give thanks to God,” he added, which gives the whole picture a very human feel.
https://x.com/cforcatholics/status/2013396138922004576?s=12
What ties these stories together is not sports glory, but humility. Whether it is a soccer coach in Spain or a quarterback in the United States, the message is the same: success does not have to produce pride, and pressure does not have to squeeze out faith.
