De la Fuente backs Oyarzabal for Ballon dOr recognition and predicts Yamal will win

Spain manager Luis de la Fuente says Real Sociedad forward Mikel Oyarzabal deserved to be included among the nominees for the Ballon d’Or, while predicting that Lamine Yamal will win the award either this year or in the future.

De la Fuente praised the quality of Spain’s players in an interview with Spanish newspaper Mundo Deportivo, saying the country’s football system continues to produce players capable of competing at the highest level.

“I always bet on the local product and on the Spanish brand,” he said. “We are one of the best national teams in the world in terms of development, performance and quality.”

The Spain boss then singled out Oyarzabal, suggesting that his omission from the Ballon d’Or shortlist was an error.

“I say that Mikel Oyarzabal is missing from the list of nominees,” De la Fuente said. “The person who had to write down the names dropped the paper on the floor, so they did not put his name on it.”

De la Fuente also backed Barcelona forward Yamal to claim football’s most prestigious individual prize.

“I believe Lamine Yamal is capable of winning the Ballon d’Or, because he is Spanish and because he is a truly outstanding player,” he said. “If he does not win it this year, he will win it in the future, and I do not think he will have to wait too long to achieve that.”

Yamal has made a strong start to the current season, according to De la Fuente, who said Spain wanted to enjoy watching the teenager develop over a long period.

“I see him producing very good performances at the beginning of this season, and we want to enjoy him for many years,” he added.

The manager also addressed Marcos Llorente’s decision to retire from international football. Llorente announced the move through his official account a week ago, after winning the 2026 World Cup.

“He spoke to me about it, and I have the utmost respect and gratitude for him,” De la Fuente said. “I have a wonderful relationship with him.”

Spain won the 2026 World Cup by beating Argentina 1-0 in the final, with Ferran Torres scoring the only goal of the match.

Looking ahead to the 2030 World Cup, De la Fuente said the final should be held in Spain.

“The 2030 World Cup final must be played in Spain,” he said.

Spain’s next fixtures will come during the September international window, when they face England and Croatia in the Nations League group stage.