2026 Ballon d'Or: Luis de la Fuente backs Lamine Yamal

The Spanish head coach names his favorite

Ballon d'Or Today at 13:12

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2026 Ballon d'Or: Luis de la Fuente backs Lamine Yamal

Campaigning for the 2026 Ballon d'Or has been underway since the list of 30 nominees was announced on Monday. Luis de la Fuente sees no better candidate than Lamine Yamal.

We are now just over a month away from the presentation of the 2026 Ballon d'Or. Recently, Luis de la Fuente expressed his preference for Lamine Yamal. Speaking at a press conference, the Spanish coach believes the award should go to a Spanish player and views the FC Barcelona winger as a natural contender.

"A Spanish footballer should win the Ballon d'Or. I always back our homegrown talent. We are the best in the world when it comes to youth development, performance, and quality. Lamine Yamal can win it—yes—because he is a tremendous player. If it doesn't happen this year, it will happen later. He won't have to wait long to win it," the Spanish coach told reporters.

Le Ballon d'Or ?

🚨🗣️ Luis de la Fuente : Je pense que Lamine peut remporter le Ballon d'Or car il est espagnol et un joueur fantastique. Si ce n'est pas cette année, ce sera dans le futur je ne pense pas que cela tardera. Je le vois en grande forme en ce début de saison et nous…
— Blaugranation (@Blaugranation_) September 10, 2026

Joshua SOSSOU

Editorfr, en, ar

As a sports fan, and particularly a football fan, I've been putting my writing talent to good use for a number of years now to promote African talent and the continent's football in general. On Foot Africa, enjoy reading each of my lines.