Spain head coach Luis de la Fuente has thrown his hat into the ring for the Ballon d’Or for men’s coaches, declaring that he would love to win the prestigious accolade as international football pauses for the UEFA Nations League.
De la Fuente makes his case for coaching honors
With the voting deadline for the Ballon d’Or closing on Monday, attention around the Spain national team has shifted briefly from the pitch to individual accolades. De la Fuente finds himself among five candidates for the coaching prize, alongside Luis Enrique, Mikel Arteta, Unay Emery, and Vincent Kompany.
Speaking to reporters ahead of Spain’s fixture against Croatia at the Sánchez-Pizjuán in Seville, the national team manager addressed his nomination with a blend of ambition and humor. “Me haría muchísima ilusión ganar el Balón de Oro, cómo no. Que tomen nota,” De la Fuente said, translating to a clear desire for the award: “I would be thrilled to win the Ballon d’Or, of course. Take note.”
He added that he wants a Spanish coach to claim the trophy, noting that all four Spanish candidates have made strong merits.
Squad rotation ahead of Croatia clash
Beyond the individual awards chatter, Spain prepares to face Luka Modrić’s Croatia following a comeback victory against England at Wembley. De la Fuente confirmed that he plans to make three or four changes to his starting lineup in Seville.
The tactical adjustment stems from the demanding fixture schedule, which requires players to play four matches in a 10-day window. The manager emphasized player welfare, noting that the squad needs fresh energy while maintaining the tactical flexibility that saw them overcome England without playing a brilliant match.
Fabián Ruiz weighs in on Ballon d’Or recognition
Spain midfielder Fabián Ruiz also addressed the media in Seville, discussing the recognition that comes with Ballon d’Or nominations. The Sevilla native acknowledged that seeing hard work recognized brings a sense of validation, even as the squad remains fully focused on the upcoming UEFA Nations League challenge against Croatia.
Keep reading
