Luis de la Fuente backs Spanish players for Ballon d’Or and calls for 2030 World Cup final in Spain

Luis de la Fuente says the 2026 Ballon d’Or should be won by a Spain player after the national team’s World Cup triumph, while also insisting that the 2030 World Cup final must be staged in Spain.

The Spain manager was speaking at a news conference on Thursday ahead of his side’s Nations League matches during the next international break.

“The Ballon d’Or should be won by a Spanish footballer this year,” said De la Fuente. “I always support national products, especially the ‘Made in Spain’ brand.”

He also questioned the omission of Real Sociedad forward Mikel Oyarzabal from the list of nominees.

“We have a world-class level of coaching, performance and quality,” De la Fuente said. “By the way, I noticed that Mikel Oyarzabal’s name was missing from the list of candidates. It seems that the person responsible for writing down the names dropped the paper and failed to include him.”

De la Fuente believes Barcelona winger Lamine Yamal could claim the award, either this year or in the future.

“I think Lamine Yamal is capable of winning the Ballon d’Or because he is Spanish and a great footballer,” he said. “If it is not this year, then it will be in the future. I do not think he will have to wait long to win it.

“I see him producing outstanding performances at the start of this season, and we want to enjoy his talent for many years to come.”

Llorente retirement

The coach also addressed Marcos Llorente’s decision to retire from international football. De la Fuente said the player had spoken to him about the decision and expressed his “absolute respect and gratitude” for Llorente, with whom he has “a wonderful relationship”.

Asked about promising young players such as Carlos Espai and Xavi Espart, De la Fuente said they would eventually have a place in the national team.

“They will certainly be there in the future,” he said. “There is no need to rush, and we must respect a generation of footballers who have won absolutely everything in recent years.”

2030 final debate

De la Fuente again called for the 2030 World Cup final to be played in Spain and said he strongly wanted to manage the national team in that match.

The issue has become a subject of debate because Spain, Portugal and Morocco will jointly host the tournament, with the venue for the decisive fixture still under discussion.

His comments came after Fouzi Lekjaa, president of the Moroccan Football Federation, said Morocco would host the 2030 World Cup final.