Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez condemns remarks made by his conservative predecessor Mariano Rajoy about France’s national football team. Rajoy drew criticism after writing an opinion piece in which he said the team had “no French players,” a comment that sparked backlash in Spain and France. Sanchez responds by denouncing what he calls “xenophobic” statements and argues that belonging should not be judged by factors such as surname, place of birth, or skin colour. Instead, he says identity should be measured by roots in a country and the will to contribute. Multiple French politicians also criticize Rajoy’s remark, according to reporting from France 24, while Sanchez’s denunciation appears in posts on social media. The controversy centers on whether Rajoy’s comments unfairly link nationality to heritage or appearance, and whether they exclude players based on background rather than citizenship or sporting representation. The dispute is framed as part of a broader debate over xenophobia and national identity in public discourse.