Spain national team coach Luis de la Fuente has identified Barcelona's young star Lamine Yamal as a strong candidate to win the Ballon d'Or. Speaking at a press event covered by Mundo Deportivo ahead of a Nations League match, De la Fuente stated that "a Spanish footballer should win the Ballon d'Or".
What De la Fuente said about Lamine Yamal
The Spanish manager was clear in his praise for the Blaugrana winger. He said Lamine Yamal could win the prestigious award "because he is Spanish and he is an excellent footballer". De la Fuente added that the forward has a chance to claim it this year or in the near future, expressing great confidence in his trajectory. This endorsement comes as Barcelona sits top of La Liga with 12 points from four games, a collective effort in which Yamal is a central figure.
Who else was mentioned in the conversation
De la Fuente also pointed to another Spaniard as a worthy contender. "Mikel Oyarzabal is missing from the list of candidates, the person who had to write down the names dropped the paper on the floor and didn't include him," the coach explained, showing his surprise at the Real Sociedad forward's omission. The event in Oviedo was attended by local officials including mayor Alfredo Canteli and Jesús Martínez, president of the Pachuca Group which owns Real Oviedo.
The context of the Spanish national team
The comments were made during preparations for Spain's next Nations League fixture against the Czech Republic on October 3rd. De la Fuente also addressed the international retirement of Marcos Llorente, with whom he spoke and to whom he expressed respect and gratitude. Looking ahead, the coach named young prospects like Carlos Espí and Xavi Espart but urged patience and respect for more experienced players.
Barcelona and Yamal's current momentum
De la Fuente's faith in Lamine Yamal aligns with a superb period for the club. Xavi Hernández's side has won all four of its league matches, scoring 17 goals and conceding just two, putting them two points clear at the summit. The next challenge is a trip to face 11th-placed Levante on Sunday, September 13th. You can view the full schedule on our fixtures page.
The Spain coach also stated his belief that the 2030 World Cup final should be held in Spain and expressed his interest in leading the national team to that tournament. For now, the immediate focus for Barça and their young star is maintaining domestic momentum, with four players including Frenkie de Jong, Roony Bardghji, Eric García, and Jesse Bisiwu currently on the injuries list. Lamine Yamal's next outing will be at the Estadi Ciutat de València.
