The President of the Government Pedro Sánchez responds to Rajoy's words against French players: "May the best win and racism lose"

The President of the Government, Pedro Sánchez, has responded to former President Mariano Rajoy, after his statements in an opinion column about the French national football team, which will face the Spanish national team this Tuesday, July 14, in the World Cup semifinals.

The president responded with a message from his X social network in which he said: "There are those who still measure belonging by surname, place of birth, or skin color. Others measure it by the roots to a country and the will to contribute to it. Playing football. Taking care of our elders. Or opening businesses." The head of the Executive also added: "Spain belongs to those who love it and work for it. Not to those who shame it with xenophobic statements," to then conclude his message by saying: "France, see you in the semifinals. May the best win and racism lose," the president concluded.

Hay quien todavía mide la pertenencia por el apellido, el lugar de nacimiento o el color de piel.

Otros la medimos por el arraigo a un país y la voluntad de contribuir a él. Jugando al fútbol. Cuidando a nuestros mayores. O abriendo negocios.

España es de quien la ama y la…

— Pedro Sánchez (@sanchezcastejon) July 12, 2026

The words of former president Rajoy have caused a lot of uproar, and many consider them unacceptable. Rajoy, in an opinion column, highlighted the track record of the French national team and its leadership in the FIFA ranking, while also stating that it has a squad of "the highest level, although, without Frenchmen," said the former president referring to the origin of France's players.

The French Interior Minister Laurent Núñez has also responded to these words, calling Rajoy's statements "absolutely unacceptable." "If that statement is accurate, it is absolutely unacceptable. It does not reflect at all what France is," said the French minister. Regarding these words, he also added that: "France is a diverse country where everyone can develop" and that he believes that, "there is a France, simply, which is a Republic where everyone should be able to find their place." Finally, he wanted to finish responding by emphasizing that: "Of the 26 players, 23 were born in France. The 3 who were born abroad are also French," Laurent replied.