Chapter 160

The press conference room at Ciudad del Fútbol in Las Rozas, Madrid, was abuzz with energy.

Luis de la Fuente, the experienced coach of the Spain National Team, walked in with his signature calm yet confident demeanour.

Dressed in a tailored navy-blue suit, his Spanish Football Federation badge gleamed under the camera lights.

His salt-and-pepper hair and weathered face bore the marks of years in the game, but his piercing gaze and poised stance reflected the focus of a man who knew what lay ahead—a summer of pressure, expectation, and opportunity at the European Championships.

Seated behind a table adorned with microphones and sponsor logos, de la Fuente greeted the gathered journalists.

"Good afternoon, everyone," he began with a composed smile, his voice steady but commanding.

"It’s an exciting time for Spanish football as we prepare for the Euros. Our focus is on building a competitive, united team that can make our nation proud."

After a few standard questions about squad preparations, injury updates, and tactical approaches, the conversation took an inevitable turn toward a name dominating football discourse since the start of the season —Izan, the 16-year-old sensation from Valencia CF.

A reporter from Marca raised his hand. "Mister, Izan’s performances have been nothing short of extraordinary, especially since you’ve called him up previously and what he showed then was one for the books, becoming Spain’s youngest goal scorer and assister.

At just 16, he’s already drawing comparisons to some of football’s greats.

What are your thoughts on him? And is there a possibility he could be included in the national setup for the upcoming Euros in the summer?"

De la Fuente’s smile widened slightly, and he leaned forward. "Ah, Izan," he began, his tone thoughtful. "He’s a Prodigious young player, no doubt about that.

At such a young age, performing consistently in La Liga and showing the maturity he has is something we rarely see.

His ability to read the game, his composure under pressure, and his technical skills are truly exceptional as well as his end product which is just, chef’s kiss" de la Fuente said mimicking a kiss.

The coach paused, letting his words sink in. "However," he continued, "we must remember he’s still just 16. Football can be a demanding world, especially at the highest levels.

My responsibility, and the responsibility of everyone around him, is to ensure his talent is nurtured in the right way. We want to protect him from unnecessary pressure and allow him to grow at his own pace."

"He’s already played for Spain but that was in the friendlies. I and the people around him have to make sure that he’s prepared, mentally and definitely physically after his recent injury before rushing him into any situation"

The room buzzed with anticipation. A journalist from El País followed up, "So, does that mean Izan won’t be part of your plans for the Euros?"

De la Fuente chuckled softly. "We don’t rule anything out in football. Talent like his is hard to ignore, but for now, our focus is on building a squad with players who have experience at this level so if by the end of the season or if he’s up there mentally, why not?

Again, Izan’s time will come, I’m sure of that. Right now, it’s about giving him the space to continue developing and continue enjoying his football."

His measured response did little to quell the speculation. Fans and pundits alike were already debating the possibility of Izan becoming the youngest player to ever represent Spain in a major tournament.

Meanwhile, outside the press conference, the football world was gripped by another narrative—Valencia CF’s upcoming clash with Atlético Madrid.

The last time these two sides met, Valencia pulled off a stunning 4-2 victory, with Izan playing a pivotal role.

His hat trick and assist in that match had catapulted him into the limelight, and the rematch had now become one of the most anticipated fixtures of the season.

The buildup to the game was electric. Fans flooded social media with predictions, clips of Izan’s highlights, and fervent debates about whether the young star could repeat his heroics against Diego Simeone’s side.

Pundits on Spanish sports channels dissected every aspect of the upcoming match.

"Atlético will be out for revenge," said a commentator on El Chiringuito de Jugones. "They won’t underestimate Valencia this time, and Simeone will have a plan to neutralize Izan.

But stopping a player with his creativity and flair is easier said than done."

At the Mestalla, the atmosphere was reaching fever pitch. Valencia fans, buoyed by their team’s recent performances, were eager to see their young prodigy shine once more.

Billboards around the city bore Izan’s image, alongside the tagline: "El futuro es ahora"—The future is now.

Back at the press conference, de la Fuente addressed a broader question about how Spain nurtures its young talents.

"Spain has a rich tradition of developing world-class players," he said. "From Xavi and Iniesta to the newer generation, we’ve always emphasized the importance of combining skill with intelligence and discipline.

Izan fits that mould, but it’s crucial to remember that talent alone isn’t enough. We’ve seen players falter because they associated with bad things. What I saw Izan do when he was with us the last time was magical.

He’s also hardworking so if he continues like this, we might just witness one of the greatest footballers to ever play the game."

As the press conference drew to a close, de la Fuente reiterated his excitement for the Euros and the challenges ahead. But it was clear that Izan’s name would continue to dominate headlines in the weeks to come.

Outside the national team setup, the anticipation for Valencia’s showdown with Atlético Madrid reached a crescendo.

Fans across Spain, whether supporting Valencia or not, were eager to witness what Izan could do next. His rapid rise had become a beacon of hope for a country that prided itself on producing footballing maestros.

In Valencia, the Mestalla was already sold out, and fans were chanting Izan’s name during training sessions.

On social media, hashtags like #El mágico and #FutureOfSpain trended. Even Atlético Madrid fans acknowledged the young star’s brilliance, albeit grudgingly, as they called on their team to rise to the challenge.

From Luis de la Fuente’s words, Izan represented both the promise and the challenge of modern football.

In a world where young talents were often thrust into the limelight too soon, the coach was determined to ensure that Spain’s newest gem wasn’t just a flash in the pan.

"Football is a marathon, not a sprint," he had said at the press conference. "And Izan has all the tools to go the distance and even more"

As the press room emptied and journalists rushed to file their stories, one thing was clear—Spain was on the verge of an exciting new chapter, both for its national team and its domestic league.

Whether at the Euros or in the fiery clash between Valencia and Atlético, all eyes were on Izan, the teenager poised again to take the footballing world by storm.

Valencia CF’s preparations for their highly anticipated match against Atlético Madrid were intense, with a focus on tactical precision and team cohesion.

The training ground buzzed with energy as head coach Rubén Baraja and his assistants meticulously fine-tuned every aspect of the team’s approach.

At the heart of the preparations was Izan. His presence not only uplifted the squad but also provided an additional layer of dynamism to Valencia’s strategy.

Training sessions began with a scrimmage designed to simulate game situations. Izan, playing in an attacking midfield role, demonstrated his remarkable vision and quick decision-making.

His passes split the defence with surgical precision, and his ability to read the game allowed him to link up seamlessly with teammates like Hugo Duro and Javi Guerra.

Defenders Mouctar Diakhaby, Mark as well as Cenk Özkacar worked tirelessly to contain him, highlighting the competitive spirit among the players.

Baraja frequently paused the session to provide detailed feedback, emphasizing the importance of maintaining defensive solidity against Atlético’s counterattacking style.

Set-piece routines were drilled repeatedly, with Set-piece coach Andrés Palop overseeing corner-kick strategies while another assistant focused on free-kick setups.

The coaching staff also tested various formations, looking for ways to exploit Atlético’s weaknesses while neutralizing the threat of Antoine Griezmann and Álvaro Morata.

After the intense on-pitch work, the players moved into recovery mode. Inside the state-of-the-art facility, they underwent personalized recovery routines, including ice baths, massages, and stretching sessions led by the medical and fitness staff.

Izan, still buzzing from the scrimmage, took time to review his performance with one of the analysts, studying footage of his movements and decision-making to refine his game further.

Later, the squad gathered in the video analysis room for a tactical review. Baraja and his assistants presented detailed breakdowns of Atlético’s recent matches, highlighting their tendencies in attack and defensive structure.

Players took notes and asked questions, ensuring everyone was aligned on their roles and responsibilities.

As the session concluded, the atmosphere in the camp was a blend of focus and determination.

Valencia’s squad, inspired by Izan’s presence and driven by Baraja’s leadership, looked ready to take on the challenge of Atlético Madrid with confidence and purpose.

A/n: Have fun reading