Before the final group stage match against Uruguay, Oyarzabal was interviewed by Mundo Deportivo. In the latter half of the interview, he discussed his views on the upcoming schedule and his assessment of Ferran Torres and others. Related link: [Oyarzabal: I don't care about the criticism after the first match; we have a responsibility to look after Yamal]
Given the current schedule, the knockout stage draw is also crucial. While it's hard to predict which teams will be the strongest, Spain could potentially avoid some of the tournament favorites.
Now you can avoid those strong opponents you mentioned, but we'll play in three days. By then, whether we can avoid them won't be up to us—it will also depend on their performance and the results of those matches. So we're focused on our own game, on winning, which is what we want, on advancing. As for what happens next, we'll take what comes.
Personally, what's the tactical difference when you have wingers who play more advanced positions versus those who cut inside more?
When your wingers are good at breaking through from the flanks and have strong one-on-one abilities, the key is to give them space, make runs into position yourself, and attract defenders' attention so they can't provide support. If your players cut inside, then you should try to stay close to them to capitalize on opportunities when they move into those inside-cutting positions.
You've scored 13 goals in your last 12 games under de la Fuente. What is it about the national team that brings out your best? You seem to be more prolific here.
The key is often doing things well in the small details and small decisions, and recently things have been going smoothly for me. I hope this form continues, but as I said: I remain calm, I try to seize every opportunity, just as I do at Real Sociedad.
Your ranking among Spain's all-time top scorers is constantly rising; you're currently tied for 7th with Morientes. Do you pay attention to this ranking? Does it motivate you?
I don't look at statistics, but it does affect me because it's unavoidable. However, I won't let it influence me or dwell on it. As I said before the match, if everything goes well for the team over the next six games, even if I don't score a single goal, that's what matters most to me.
Your goal-scoring record rivals that of players like Haaland or Mbappé. De la Fuente has consistently argued that Spanish players are undervalued. Do you agree?
We often look outward, at players or qualities we don't have, but everyone faces this situation. We tend to compare ourselves to what we're missing and often don't appreciate what we do have, but that's life.
There's another striker in the national team, Ferran Torres. A few days ago, we saw a video where, when reviewing his disallowed goal, he kept saying, "Count it, please, count it." What do you think? Have you also talked to him about controlling his desire to score?
He craves goals and wants to perform well, and I think that's positive. As for what happens off the pitch, I don't know, because we don't pay attention to it or see it, but I see him doing well. I see him working hard, trying to seize every opportunity to play. I hope he can keep it up; he's a player who contributes a lot.
There's also a lot of discussion about your future. You've been linked with several top clubs, including Barcelona. What does it feel like to hear yourself linked with Barcelona?
If people are talking about me, it's because they think I'm playing well, but I don't pay too much attention to these things, nor do I waste time on them. Right now, I'm focused on the FIFA World Cup, on doing my best to help the team. In the upcoming matches, whether I play or not, I'll try to help the team and ensure everything goes well for us—that's what matters most.
Someone asked me to ask you if you still intend to continue playing for Real Sociedad and how contract renewal negotiations are progressing.
I'm calm. I've said it countless times: Real Sociedad and San Sebastián are my home, this is my haven, where I grew up, and Real Sociedad gave me the opportunity I have today. So from that perspective, I'm calm and not anxious about it. We haven't discussed a renewal yet. My contract still has two years, so there's plenty of time.
You're clearly a huge football fan, but you don't seem very interested in the hype surrounding the sport. How do you view football? Do you follow the FIFA World Cup closely? What are your thoughts on it?
Yes, I love football. I love watching matches, participating in them, analyzing them, and seeing what players can achieve. But the hype surrounding football—if you can call it that—is not my favorite thing. You see, that's how it is, but then again, it's part of football, and you just have to adapt.
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