The rituals of Fabián Ruiz

Fabián Ruiz plays long before the ball starts rolling. His game begins in the locker room, a player who repeats many routines that make him feel good. He also uses them in the national team, a key figure in Luis de la Fuente's plans and his coaching staff.

"For me, it's an honor to be here and represent Spain. I am very happy and content," summarizes the midfielder before revealing his pre-match ritual. He has quite a few rituals, but he executes them from memory.

"On my left wrist, I wear a San Benito Abad bracelet, a saint from Castiblanco (de los Arroyos), a town in Seville. It's a tradition from my grandmother and then my mother; we are very supportive of it. It's a bracelet I always carry with me, and my mother gave it to me when I was little. I wear it wrapped because it can't be seen."

Once the wristband is secured, Fabián moves on to his shin guards, where his routine continues. "I start with the left one, where I have a picture of my family. I give it five kisses. On the right one, I have a picture of my little cousin, who was born premature at five months, and seeing her gives me a lot of strength. I also give it five kisses."

Then it's time to get dressed, and he does it with great care: "Before putting on the jersey, I put it on my face. I imagine how the game will be and recite three Our Fathers; I’ve done it ever since I started playing. It brings me luck, and I have faith in it."

Finally, he steps onto the pitch, always with a bottle of water. "I used to drink very little water, and they always told me to drink before the game because my calf muscles would cramp. So, I started drinking water, and now I usually go out onto the pitch with a bottle of water. Then I step onto the pitch with my left foot, make the sign of the cross, and look up for the family I have up there, who always helps me."