Spain head coach Luis de la Fuente has made his Ballon d'Or preference clear, insisting that a Spanish player deserves to win this year's prestigious individual award. The manager also questioned the absence of Mikel Oyarzabal from the official 30-man shortlist while backing Lamine Yamal to reach the summit of world football. The 2026 Ballon d'Or nominees were announced earlier this week, with the ceremony scheduled to take place in London on October 26.
Key Highlights
- De la Fuente believes a Spanish player should win the 2026 Ballon d'Or.
- The Spain boss questioned Mikel Oyarzabal's absence from the 30-man shortlist.
- Lamine Yamal has been tipped to win the award, even if it does not happen this year.
- Marcos Llorente's international retirement and Spain's demanding upcoming schedule were also addressed.
De la Fuente Questions Oyarzabal's Ballon d'Or Omission
Speaking during the presentation of next month's UEFA Nations League fixture against the Czech Republic in Oviedo, De la Fuente questioned how Oyarzabal failed to make the official shortlist. The Spain boss was also quick to champion the quality of homegrown talent, praising what he called the "Brand Spain" and the country's ability to develop elite players.
"I always back domestic talent, the 'Brand Spain'; we are world-class in terms of development, performance, and quality," De la Fuente said. He then joked about Oyarzabal's omission, suggesting that whoever compiled the nominations must have somehow left the Spain forward's name off the list.
De la Fuente Tips Yamal for Ballon d'Or Success
While Oyarzabal's omission surprised him, De la Fuente has no doubts that Lamine Yamal has what it takes to win the Ballon d'Or. The Spain boss praised the Barcelona prodigy, pointing to his exceptional talent and insisting that it should only be a matter of time before the youngster claims football's biggest individual prize.
"I think Lamine Yamal can win the Ballon d'Or because he is Spanish and an incredible footballer," De la Fuente said. He added that Yamal could win it in the future if not this year, while praising the winger's strong start to the season and expressing his hope that Spain can enjoy his talent for many years.
AFP
De la Fuente Respects Llorente's International Retirement
De la Fuente also addressed Marcos Llorente's decision to retire from international football after lifting the 2026 World Cup. The Spain midfielder contacted De la Fuente before making the decision, with the coach revealing his "absolute respect and gratitude" for a player with whom he shares a "fantastic relationship".
The manager was also asked about emerging talents such as Carlos Espi and Xavi Espart. De la Fuente believes both players have international futures but stressed that there is no need to rush their progression. He also called for respect towards the generation of Spanish players who have won major honours in recent years.
Spain Face Demanding International Schedule
Spain now face a challenging run of fixtures during the upcoming international break. La Roja will begin their UEFA Nations League campaign away to England on September 26, before hosting Croatia three days later. They will then welcome the Czech Republic to the Estadio Carlos Tartiere in Oviedo on October 3.
The three-match run will give De la Fuente an opportunity to continue fine-tuning his tactics while gradually introducing the next generation into his squad. It also gives Spain's leading players a major stage to impress ahead of the 2026 Ballon d'Or ceremony in London on October 26.
