Bosque: It would be a good thing if Messi and Ronaldo could play in the World Cup. The coexistence of Alonso and Busquets has caused controversy

October 10th: Former Real Madrid and Spanish national team meritorious coach Del Bosque recently accepted an exclusive interview. Del Bosque shared his thoughts on Spanish football today and reflected on his time leading the national team to victory at the 2010 World Cup and Euro 2012.

You have won nine trophies as a player and eleven as a coach. Is the name Del Bosque synonymous with success?

Well, I played for a team like Real Madrid that was always close to winning titles, and it was normal for Real Madrid to win some titles. During my many years at the club I experienced all kinds of things as a player and as a coach.

Let’s go back in time: South Africa in 2010. Is Iniesta's winning goal in the World Cup final one of the most important goals in Spanish football history?

Well, if Iniesta hadn't scored that goal, we probably wouldn't be here today. Almost certainly.

I think so, but...

I accept whatever you say, but for sure, if he hadn't scored, we wouldn't be here. After so many years of achieving almost nothing at the national team level, winning the world championship is a wonderful thing.

Which was the toughest and most difficult match in the 2010 World Cup?

Well, every game is difficult. The proof is that every game is very close. But the most difficult thing, I don't know... the Chilean team in the group stage was very difficult, very difficult. We have played friendly matches against them before and they have always proven to be a difficult opponent.

Then there is the Paraguay team in the knockout stage. They are also very complex. The style is very similar to the Chileans, very oppressive. They physically kept us from playing football. Very difficult, very difficult.

How do you manage those world-class superstars, those great players from Real Madrid, Barcelona and other teams, and lead them to win the World Cup?

Well, I think that's normal. I think the most important thing in a team is to do what you believe in and always try to do your best, with love and care for the players, but also understand that there is a special quality in football, which is to select 11 players out of 23. It's always a hard question, but make the decision based on what you think is best for the team. I think the players have embraced that very well.

Do you think the Spanish team in 2026 can replicate what you achieved in 2010?

Well, I think we're on that path. The other thing is, we shouldn't think beforehand that we're going to be world champions, because that's not good, that's not what we should say. But really, deep down, I think all Spaniards, especially those in the national team now, including the coach, have a good chance of becoming champions.

We have the players, we have the style of play, it's not the same as when we won the World Cup, but we have very good players and I think we can get close to achieving that goal.

Are there any players in the current national team that you hope to coach?

Well, we had some very good players then, but now we also have Merino, Fabian Ruiz, Rodri... I'm talking about the midfielders they have now, they are different from ours, but they are also very good.

If there is any biggest difference, it is that compared with the past, we have two players with very strong personal abilities on the wing, Nico Williams and Yamal.

Busquets recently announced that he will retire at the end of this year, when the MLS season ends. For you, is Busquets the definition of a midfielder, a leader on the pitch?

Well, to us he certainly is.

There was a lot of controversy at the time about having Busquets and Xavi Alonso play together in the midfield, both as central midfielders, because people thought they were defensive midfielders. But we all know that the controversy is also because one is from Barcelona and the other is from Madrid. For all the Catalans, Busquets must play alone.

For all the Madrid fans, Xavi Alonso has to play alone... Time has passed and they both have played and I think they are the two most important components of our game.

Busquets and Xavi Alonso are both players who do everything well. They think a lot about the team and serve the team. And, unless there is evidence to the contrary, they cannot prove that I think they are the most efficient.

What does it mean for Spain to host the 2030 World Cup?

I think this is very good. We are a country that is open to the world and I think we are well regarded when it comes to football.

I want to go back to the 2026 World Cup. Choose Argentina with Messi or Portugal with Ronaldo? Both players will likely end their careers after this event.

They are two superstars that we are lucky enough to enjoy in Spanish football for a decade or more, thanks to the fact that one of them can play for Real Madrid and the other can play for Barcelona. I think these are great things for us, we can't predict the future, but it would also be great if both of them, as players who were and still are superstars, can play in that World Cup.