Where Are De la Fuente's First Players Now?

Luis de la Fuente led the Spanish national team to a final in a World Cup, culminating a long journey that began with his work at the RFEF. His journey started in 2013, when he debuted as the coach of the U19 team. The team was competing to qualify for the final phase of the Euro Cup, which Serbia would win, while Spain fell in the semifinals against France. That was his first list as U19 coach for a match they would eventually win in Poland. These were his first 'children' called up, now spread across different parts of the world, including some who have already decided to hang up their boots.

ARSENAL FC
- Héctor Bellerín: Currently plays for Betis with an active contract.
ATLETICO DE MADRID
- Borja Martínez: After moving through several teams in the Primera Federación (including Nàstic de Tarragona and SD Logroñés), this year he signed with Persijap Jepara in the professional league of Indonesia.
BARCELONA
- Sergi Samper: After leaving Motor Lublin (Poland's Premier Division), where he joined in summer 2024, he just signed with Debrecen in the Hungarian league.
- Adama Traoré: Primarily played in England with a very brief period at the first team of Barça. After moves between Fulham and West Ham, he is currently not signed with any team.
BETIS
- Álvaro Vadillo: A Betis prospect, his last professional team was Racing de Ferrol during the 2023/2024 season. Injuries cut short his career, leading to retirement at age 29.
- Fran Varela: In recent seasons, he played in Primera Federación (for teams like Linares Deportivo and CD Alcoyano). He is currently with UD Melilla.
CELTA DE VIGO
- Rubén Blanco: Has left Girona and will play for Yokohama in Japan.
- Borja Fernández: After leaving Ponferradina in 2025, he headed to Gibraltar to play with Lincoln FC and Europa FC, where he will play next season.
- Santi Mina: Retired. After a brief stint in Saudi Arabia, he retired while with Celta in 2023 because of his judicial situation, having been convicted of a sexual abuse crime.
ESPANYOL
- Rubén Duarte: Currently plays with Pumas UNAM (Mexican Premier Division).
CÓRDOBA
- Fede Vico: Finished his contract with Hércules in June and is currently without a team.
REAL MADRID
- Alfonso Herrero: Is the starting goalkeeper and captain of Málaga.
- Jaime Sánchez Muñoz: After leaving Deportivo de La Coruña, he now plays for Peñafiel in the Portuguese league.
- José Rodríguez: Finished his time at Flamurtari in Albania in January and is currently not signed with a team.
- Álvaro Medrán: Plays for Al-Ettifaq in the Arab league.
- Raúl de Tomás: Had a brief stint in Al-Wakrah, Qatar, and returned to Rayo Vallecano, where he has an active contract.
REAL SOCIEDAD
- Iker Hernández: After playing in foreign leagues (Bolivia, Chile) and teams like Ibiza Islas Pitiusas or Melilla, he currently plays for Palencia CF.
SPORTING DE GIJÓN
- Álex Serrano: In recent years he has played in foreign leagues in Eastern Europe (Bulgaria, Poland, Kazakhstan) and now plays for Turan-Tovuz in Azerbaijan.
- Borja López: After many team changes, he currently is part of the AC Bellinzona squad in Switzerland.
SEVILLA
- Modesto Acosta de la Rosa: Retired from professional football since 2022.
VALENCIA
- Salva Ruiz: Played last season for Castellón and is currently without a team for the upcoming season.
VILLARREAL
- Pablo Íñiguez: Returned to Villarreal B to provide experience to the youth team before retiring in 2024.
- Moi Gómez: After many team changes, the midfielder has been playing for Osasuna since 2022.