Luis de la Fuente calls for Ballon d'Or recognition for Spain stars

Spain head coach Luis de la Fuente has insisted that a Spanish player should be crowned the winner of this year's Ballon d'Or. Speaking ahead of next month's UEFA Nations League fixture against the Czech Republic, the manager voiced his frustration regarding the official 30-man shortlist, specifically questioning the omission of Mikel Oyarzabal.

"I always back domestic talent, the 'Brand Spain'; we are world-class in terms of development, performance, and quality," De la Fuente stated. "Off the top of my head, I'd say Mikel Oyarzabal is missing from the nominees list — whoever had to write down the names must have dropped the paper on the floor and left him out."

Turning his focus to Barcelona's prodigious talent Lamine Yamal, the coach expressed full confidence in the youngster's ability to claim football's top individual prize. "I think Lamine Yamal can win the Ballon d'Or because he is Spanish and an incredible footballer. If it's not this year, it will be in the future; I don't think it will take him too long to win it," he added.

De la Fuente also addressed the international retirement of Marcos Llorente following the 2026 World Cup win, expressing his deep respect for the midfielder. As La Roja prepares for a challenging international break featuring matches against England, Croatia, and the Czech Republic, the manager emphasized a balanced approach to squad regeneration while maintaining high standards for the national team.