Ballon d’Or: De la Fuente wins Men’s Coach of the Year

Spain's coach Luis de la Fuente has been bestowed with the prestigious Men's Coach of the Year award at the 2026 Ballon d'Or ceremony in London, after leading his nation to World Cup victory. The 65-year-old was honored for guiding Spain to their second FIFA World Cup title, following a thrilling final against defending champions Argentina on July 19.

Ferran Torres netted the winning goal in the 106th minute, securing Spain's first World Cup triumph since 2010. Accepting the accolade, De la Fuente emphasized the collective nature of their success. "Good evening, it is a real honour for me to receive this prize," he stated. "To be among these nominees is just something very special."

He credited his players and coaching staff, acknowledging that the award belongs to the entire team. De la Fuente praised the Spanish Football Federation and commended his players for prioritizing team goals over personal ambitions, attributing their triumph to the players' solidarity and selflessness. This latest recognition marks another milestone in De la Fuente's impressive tenure with Spain, as the coach has led the national team to three major victories since December 2022, including the UEFA Nations League, Euro 2024, and the 2026 World Cup.

Among his contemporaries, De la Fuente was acknowledged ahead of Mikel Arteta, Luis Enrique, Unai Emery, and Vincent Kompany. De la Fuente, however, reiterated that individual accolades mean little without a collective achievement. "Football is all about that."