Fabian Ruiz, the standout player for Paris Saint-Germain, has expressed his intention to return to Real Betis before he hangs up his boots. The Ballon d’Or nominee had an exceptional season last year and is currently vying for a spot in Spain’s midfield heading into the 2026 World Cup.
La Roja will debut their World Cup kit at La Cartuja against Turkiye on Tuesday night. Although they are missing several key players, Spain only needs to avoid a nine-goal loss to qualify for the tournament in the United States, Mexico, and Canada. Despite the absences, Spain secured a commanding 4-0 victory over Turkiye on Saturday, showcasing their strength in depth—something that Ruiz views positively.
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“The competition makes us more competitive and pushes us to always perform at our best while representing the national team. It seems that no matter who steps onto the pitch, all our players deliver exceptional performances, highlighting the high caliber of Spain and its players. We consider ourselves one of the best national teams and aim to keep proving that on the field,” Fabian shared with Cadena SER.
Midfield Rivalry for Fabian
Image via EFE
Currently, Fabian is contending for a spot in midfield, especially with Pedri sidelined since the quarter-finals. He, along with Dani Olmo and Rodri Hernandez, helped lead La Roja to the Euro 2024 final. However, the emergence of Martin Zubimendi, Mikel Merino, and a recovering Pedri has added to the competition for places.
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“Competing in a World Cup is a dream I’m striving for, especially since I missed the last one. I truly hope to make it in 2026. Additionally, it’s always special to play at home in Seville, surrounded by my family and fans,” Fabian said about the upcoming tournament.
Fabian’s Aspirations for Betis Return
Having played a pivotal role in Luis Enrique’s team during their Champions League victory last season, Fabian, who left Betis for Napoli in 2018, has reiterated his wish to eventually return to the Benito Villamarin.
“I am a Betis supporter, and I’ve always mentioned that I would like to finish my career at Betis, although I can’t specify when that will be. I’m thrilled about all the success they’ve had recently; they’ve enjoyed great seasons with talented players, which is partly thanks to (Manuel) Pellegrini. While it’s not entirely up to me, I hope he continues because he’s an excellent coach.”