Patrons

Luis de la Fuente

Luis de la Fuente Castillo, Head Coach of the Spain National Football Team and a native of Haro (La Rioja), is one of the most respected managers in Spanish football. After a professional playing career with several First Division clubs, he began coaching the youth national teams of the Royal Spanish Football Federation in 2013.

With Spain's youth teams, he won the UEFA European Under-19 and Under-21 Championships, as well as a silver medal at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games. In 2022, he took charge of the senior national team, leading Spain to victory in the 2023 UEFA Nations League, UEFA Euro 2024 and the 2026 FIFA World Cup, cementing one of the most successful eras in the history of Spanish football. His contract was subsequently extended until 2028.

At the 2024 edition of the Arnedo Cup, he supported the tournament by sharing his experience, enthusiasm and admiration for grassroots football and its young players.

Pablo Marin

Pablo Marín, born in Logroño, has family roots in Arnedo through his father, Fernando Marín, who was also a footballer.

He has great affection for the tournament, having played in it on three occasions: with E.D.F. Logroño, with the Riojan regional team, and another year with Real Sociedad. Currently a midfielder for Real Sociedad.

Pablo began his football journey at E.D.F. Logroño. He joined the youth academy of Real Sociedad in 2016, progressing through the ranks step by step until reaching the first team.

Álvaro Fernandez Llorente

Álvaro Fernández Llorente, a native of Arnedo (La Rioja) and current goalkeeper for R.C. Deportivo de La Coruña, was the honorary patron of the 28th edition of the Arnedo Cup, held in 2024. He continues to support and follow our tournament with great affection, having also taken part in it as a player in 2011 with E.F. Arnedo.

He began his football career at Club Deportivo Arnedo, making his debut in the Spanish Third Division at just 16 years of age. He later joined the youth academy of C.A. Osasuna, where he completed his youth development and made his debut for the club's reserve team against Villarreal C.F. in 2016.

Throughout his career, he has played for clubs including A.S. Monaco, Extremadura U.D., S.D. Huesca, Brentford F.C., R.C.D. Espanyol, Sevilla F.C. and, currently, R.C. Deportivo de La Coruña. He also represented Spain at youth international level, won the silver medal at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, and made his senior international debut in 2021 in a friendly match against Lithuania.

Diego Urdiales

Diego Urdiales trained at the Arnedo bullfighting school starting at age 11. He made his public debut on St. Joseph’s Day in 1988 at his hometown’s bullring—the same venue where, months later, on October 2, he donned the bullfighter’s costume for the first time. He made his debut with picadors on March 21, 1992, also at his hometown’s bullring. From then until 1998, when he won the Zapato de Oro award, he alternated between seasons with few appearances and others featuring around twenty bullfights.

This 30th edition of the ArnedoCup will feature an exceptional patron: Diego Urdiales, one of the most recognized and beloved figures in La Rioja’s bullfighting scene. A native of Arnedo, his career and close ties to the city make his presence particularly significant.Diego Urdiales will serve as the ArnedoCup’s patron, joining a tournament that aims to continue growing and becoming a gathering place for the sport, the fans, and the entire Arnedo community.Translated with DeepL.com (free version)