Coach Luis de la Fuente asserts that a Spanish player should be honored with the Ballon d’Or after their World Cup victory, particularly highlighting Lamine Yamal’s impressive performances as deserving of the title of the world’s best player.
The 2026 Ballon d’Or ceremony is scheduled for October 26 in London, with Bayern Munich’s Harry Kane currently leading the race.
Kane netted an astonishing 65 goals in all competitions during the 2025-26 season and scored six goals at the World Cup, helping England secure a third-place finish.
Kylian Mbappe is also a strong contender, having scored 50 goals for Real Madrid and contributing to a record 14 goal involvements (10 goals, four assists) in the World Cup, surpassing Miroslav Klose and Lionel Messi to become the tournament’s top scorer with 22 goals.
Despite these competitors, De la Fuente firmly believes a Spain player should receive the accolade, similar to how Rodri was recognized after the Euro 2024 victory.
After recently extending his contract until Euro 2032 prior to Spain’s Nations League match against England, De la Fuente spoke to El Larguero, advocating for his players’ merits.
“A Spaniard should win it because they excel in many aspects, including their understanding of the game,” said the Spain coach.
He emphasized that Spanish footballers are nearly perfect and have earned recognition this year, although it often eludes them.
Out of the thirty nominees for the Ballon d’Or, six are Spanish: Yamal, Rodri, Ferran Torres, Fabian Ruiz, Marc Cucurella, and Pau Cubarsi.
Fabian is notable for being the only player to win both the World Cup and Champions League this year, while Rodri secured the World Cup Golden Ball and Cubarsi was named the tournament’s Young Player.
Nominated for the 2026 Ballon d’Or
Lamine Yamal@FCBarcelona@SEFutbol#ballondor pic.twitter.com/RlpDdY675f
— Ballon d’Or (@ballondor) September 8, 2026
If a Spanish player is to win, Yamal appears to be the top candidate, having scored 24 goals and provided 17 assists for LaLiga champions Barcelona in the 2025-26 season. His total of 41 goal involvements ranks him sixth among all players in Europe’s top five leagues.
Yamal led in dribbles attempted (429) and completed (225), in addition to creating 59 chances following carries, the highest in the league.
In a recent interview, Yamal commented that the Ballon d’Or is “not about who has scored 80 goals,” which some interpreted as a critique of Kane and Mbappe.
However, De la Fuente believes Yamal’s words were not intended to disrespect any opponents and anticipates a future competition between Yamal and Mbappe for Ballon d’Or honors.
“I think we should consider his comments in context. Lamine made that statement because he feels deserving, just like Mbappe,” De la Fuente argued.
“Both players have distinct styles and will significantly impact football in the years to come, while still respecting their peers.” He added, “It doesn’t come off as disrespectful for either player to assert their achievements are worthy of the award.”
Fan Take: This news is significant for soccer enthusiasts because it showcases the rising talent of Spanish players, especially Yamal, who could redefine expectations in the sport. The ongoing rivalry between current stars like Yamal, Kane, and Mbappe adds an exciting dimension to the future of football, making upcoming tournaments even more thrilling to watch.
Source: www.soccernews.com
