Luis de la Fuente demands Ballon d’Or recognition for Spain stars

Spain head coach Luis de la Fuente believes a Spanish player should lift the Ballon d’Or this year as he tipped Lamine Yamal to claim the individual prize.

The 65-year-old tactician made this known on Thursday while speaking during the presentation of next month’s UEFA Nations League fixture against the Czech Republic in Oviedo.

De la Fuente questioned Mikel Oyarzabal’s absence from the official 30-man shortlist.

The manager stated: “I always back domestic talent, the ‘Brand Spain’; we are world-class in terms of development, performance, and quality. 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.”

Luis de la Fuente lifts the FIFA World Cup Winner’s Trophy after the Spain’s victory over Argentina in the FIFA World Cup 2026 Final match. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)

He also spoke highly of Barcelona forward Lamine Yamal, tipping the youngster to win big at the event.

De la Fuente added: “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. I see him doing very well at the start of this season, and we want to enjoy him for many years to come.”

Addressing Marcos Llorente’s decision to retire from international duty after lifting the 2026 World Cup, De la Fuente revealed the midfielder reached out to him beforehand, with the manager expressing his “absolute respect and gratitude” to a player with whom he maintains a “fantastic relationship”.

When quizzed on the potential inclusion of emerging talents such as Carlos Espi and Xavi Espart, the boss remarked: “They will certainly be there in the future. There is no need to rush, and we must show respect to a generation of footballers who have won absolutely everything in recent years.”