How Pedro Porro Went from Snubbed to Spain’s World Cup Star

The Big Match Everyone Is Talking About

The Athletic has live coverage of Argentina vs Spain in the 2026 FIFA World Cup final.

Important Point: A lot can change in football. If one week feels long, two years is like a whole lifetime!

A Whirlwind Two Years for Tottenham

Since summer 2024, Tottenham Hotspur (a famous football club in London) have been on a wild ride:

• They had four permanent managers (the person in charge of the team).
• They won their first major trophy in 17 years.
• They played in the Champions League (a big European competition).
• They almost got relegated (sent to a lower league) but avoided it.

Pedro Porro’s Journey with Spain

At the start of that period, Pedro Porro was only on the edges of Spain’s national team. Here is what happened:

• After a good season with Tottenham under coach Ange Postecoglou, many were surprised when Spain’s coach Luis de la Fuente left Porro at home for the 2024 European Championship (a big tournament in Europe). Spain still won without him.
• Now, 24 months later, Porro is a key member of Spain’s team trying to win their second World Cup.
• He should be seen as one of the very best right-backs (a defensive player on the right side) in the world.

Like his teammate Djed Spence, it took a great World Cup for people to see how good Porro really is. People used to talk about what he was bad at, but now an attacking team style shows his strengths to the world.

Pedro Porro has been a key element of Spain’s success at the World Cup (David Ramos/Getty Images)

A Coach Who Always Believed in Him

Interestingly, Thomas Frank (Tottenham’s coach before February, when he was sacked) always knew Porro was talented. Frank thought Porro was the only Tottenham player good enough for an elite club, ahead of:

• Micky van de Ven
• Argentina’s Cristian Romero (who Porro will face in the final)
• New signings Mohammed Kudus and Xavi Simons

Proof of his quality:

• Manchester City (a top club) wanted him last summer.
• Real Madrid (a giant club) admired him before the World Cup.
• But many felt Porro was not fully appreciated by club or country until this summer.

A Rocky Start with Spain

Porro’s first big chance with De la Fuente did not go well:

1. He played under De la Fuente at the under-21 level (younger team).
2. He got his first start for the senior team against Scotland in March 2023.
3. After just 7 minutes, he slipped on the ball, Scotland took it and scored.
4. He was swapped at half-time for experienced Dani Carvajal.
5. Spain lost 2-0 — still their last competitive defeat.
6. He could not win his place back from Carvajal or even 38-year-old Jesus Navas.

Pedro Porro speaks to reporters in Dallas, Texas (Florencia Tan Jun/Getty Images)

When left out of Euro 2024, Porro said:

“It makes you feel a bit helpless. You work all year to be there… but that’s football. Keep working on it.”

Hard Work at Club Level

While Porro fought back into Spain’s team, his Tottenham seasons were up and down:

• Since 2024-25, he played 5,405 Premier League minutes — more than any teammate (next was goalkeeper Vicario with 4,950).
• He was probably their best player in the Europa League win, even though the league season was a disaster (17th place).
• He scored key goals against Eintracht Frankfurt and Bodo/Glimt.
• There were shaky moments, like against part-time player Beck Ray Enoru of non-league Tamworth.
• Last season he made 52 chances (most on the team) and won many duels (physical battles).
• He helped avoid relegation under coach Roberto De Zerbi.

Pedro Porro is tackled by Youri Tielemans of Aston Villa (Richard Heathcote/Getty Images)

Important Point: Porro was often let down by coaches (before De Zerbi) whose tactics limited his attacking power.

Shining at the World Cup

Now, after taking the right-back spot from Marcos Llorente in Spain’s second tournament game, football sees his true value:

• In a team that keeps the ball, he gets support to escape tight spots.
• He has space to create and dash into the box.
• His semi-final goal vs France was world-class.
• His header vs Austria showed smart movement.

Tottenham tied him to a long-term contract before the World Cup — a very smart move.

What Happens Next?

After a crazy two years, Porro returns to Tottenham with a coach and owners who want him to thrive like he does for Spain. Tottenham will have a World Cup winner for the third straight tournament (after Lloris in 2018 and Romero in 2022). If Porro and Spain play like they did vs France, the final may not be close.

Summary

Pedro Porro was overlooked by Spain in 2024 but became a star by the 2026 World Cup. He worked hard through Tottenham’s chaotic years, stayed fit, and now shows the world his talent. A new contract and a supportive coach could help him shine at club and country alike.

FAQ

1. Who is Pedro Porro?
He is a Spanish right-back who plays for Tottenham Hotspur and the Spain national team.

2. Why was he left out of Euro 2024?
Spain’s coach chose other players like Carvajal and Navas, and Porro had a bad early mistake against Scotland in 2023.

3. How did he become a World Cup key player?
He kept working, stayed fit, and Spain’s attacking style let his strengths show, earning him a starting spot.

4. What big moment happened at the 2026 World Cup?
He scored a world-class goal against France in the semi-final and helped Spain reach the final.

5. Why is his Tottenham contract important?
It keeps a proven world-class player at the club while they plan to build a better team around him.