Unbeaten Milestone and Rare Double Await Spanish Midfield Engine
While teammate Dani Olmo reached his 50-cap milestone during a disappointing 0-0 opening draw against Cape Verde, Fabian Ruiz can achieve his half-century under spectacular circumstances. A victory in the showpiece event against Lionel Messi's Argentina would secure football's ultimate international prize and solidify the 30-year-old playmaker's legacy in Spanish football history.
If victorious, the Paris Saint-Germain star will become just the fifth player in the 21st century to achieve the rare double of winning the UEFA Champions League and the FIFA World Cup in the exact same season. This elite continental club puts him alongside legends like Roberto Carlos, Sami Khedira, Raphael Varane, and Julian Alvarez.
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Furthermore, a win or draw would ensure Ruiz completes 50 international appearances without a single defeat, surpassing Brazilian icon Garrincha, who lost his 50th match at the 1966 World Cup. Only former Valencia defender Carlos Marchena holds a longer unbeaten streak for La Roja at 57 matches, though Marchena tasted defeat early in his career.
Despite these records, Ruiz remains an understated figure compared to tournament megastars, prompting teammate Lamine Yamal to recently call him underrated. Addressing the lack of individual Ballon d'Or hype, Ruiz stated that the opinions of his PSG and national team peers are all that truly matter to him.
His historic run comes despite a turbulent club campaign plagued by a severe knee injury that sidelined him for three months, limiting him to just 24 starts. Having temporarily lost his spot in Luis de la Fuente's tactical setup following the Cape Verde stalemate, Ruiz reclaimed his starting role with a masterclass against Belgium in the quarterfinals.