Luis de la Fuente Calls for Recognition of Spanish Footballers
Luis de la Fuente has drawn a line in the sand. With the Ballon d'Or ceremony looming on October 26, Spain’s head coach has stepped out of the usual diplomatic lane and gone on the offensive for his players.
Spain have 26 nominees spread across the different categories this year. For De la Fuente, that number tells only half the story. The other half is frustration.
He is convinced Spanish footballers are shaping the modern game, yet still watching the sport’s biggest individual prize drift elsewhere.
“I think it has to be won by a Spaniard, because they are the best in the world in many aspects, including their understanding of the game. The Spanish footballer is an almost, almost perfect player. Furthermore, they have made more than enough merits in this year... And it seems that it is difficult to give that recognition to our players,” he told El Larguero.
That is not the language of a coach simply happy to be represented. It is a demand for a shift in how the football world values Spanish talent.
Lamine, Mbappé and the new order
One name sits at the centre of this debate: Lamine Yamal.
The Barcelona prodigy has already placed himself in the same bracket as Kylian Mbappé, a statement that would usually provoke a backlash for its sheer audacity. De la Fuente, though, refuses to tone the teenager down. He sees no arrogance, only a reflection of what is happening on the pitch.
“I think you have to see in what context it is said. And I think Lamine says it simply because he has made enough merits, just like Mbappe. They are two players with a different touch and who, in the coming years, respecting others, will mark football. It does not seem like a lack of respect to me that they say they have made merits to win it,” he said.
In De la Fuente’s eyes, Yamal and Mbappé are not just stars of the moment. They are the axis around which the next era of elite football will spin. One in blaugrana, one in white, both at the heart of his argument that Spain’s talent pool deserves the sport’s highest recognition.
The forgotten pillars: Fabián, Oyarzabal, Pedri
While the spotlight burns brightest on Yamal and Mbappé, De la Fuente is more irritated by the shadows.
He singled out Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Fabián Ruiz as the great overlooked figure of the conversation. A player who, in his view, delivers at the very top level without the noise that surrounds others.
When pushed to choose between Rodri and Lamine Yamal for the Ballon d'Or, he immediately widened the lens.
“And Fabian, whom we always forget about. The other day I said that I missed Mikel Oyarzabal, who at the very least should be among the 30, to recognize the talent of a fantastic footballer and who has been the top scorer for the world champion national team.”
That is a pointed reminder: Spain’s collective success, crowned by their recent title, has been built on more than the two or three names that dominate headlines.
He did not stop there.
“Those things at the moment must be put in value, regardless of whether they later win it or not. I am also surprised that Pedri is not there, but of those who are, I do not bet on any one of them. Whoever wins it, of the Spanish footballers, I will be very happy.”
No hedging, no careful neutrality. De la Fuente is effectively saying the shortlist itself is incomplete, that some of his most important players have been left outside the velvet rope.
A goalkeeping factory at the top of the world
The Spain coach then turned to a position where his conviction is just as strong: in goal.
Unai Simón, David Raya and Joan García are all nominated for the goalkeeper award. For most nations, one name in that conversation would be a triumph. Spain have three, all from the World Cup squad.
For De la Fuente, that is not a surprise. It is confirmation.
“Let's bet on what is ours and value it. I believe that the Ballon d'Or should be won by a Spaniard, of course. In the same way that, in the trophy for goalkeepers, it is a privilege that we have the three goalkeepers from the World Cup nominated. And we have always said that among the five best goalkeepers in the world there are always three Spaniards, at the very least.”
It is a bold claim, but it fits the wider theme of his message: Spain are not just competitive; they are setting standards in multiple positions, and the awards should reflect that reality.
As October 26 approaches, the ballots are already cast and the debate is largely symbolic. De la Fuente knows that. He is fighting a longer battle. Not just for one trophy on one night in Paris, but for a recalibration of how Spanish football is judged at the very top of the game.
