De la Fuente wins men's Ballon d'Or coach of year

Luis de la Fuente secured the Ballon d'Or award for men's coach of the year on Monday, following Spain's triumph in the World Cup. The 65-year-old coach emphasized the importance of teamwork, stating that "teamwork makes us invincible." De la Fuente highlighted the exceptional talent at his disposal, noting that "we've got such an amazing pool of talent, the best in the world."

Reflecting on his career, which began as a player before transitioning to coaching, the coach acknowledged the pivotal moment that led him to Spain's Under-19s team in 2013. Over the subsequent 13 years, his teams went on to win the Nations League, Euro 2024, and the World Cup. De la Fuente confidently declared, "This is recognition for a job very well done over many years."

Despite a goalless draw against Cape Verde in their opening match, Spain's momentum grew with each subsequent game. In the final against Argentina, led by Lionel Messi, de la Fuente's team maintained composure despite Argentina's aggressive tactics, with Ferran Torres scoring the decisive goal. The women's coaching award was also presented to Pere Romeu of Barcelona for guiding the team to a perfect season, including victories in the Spanish league, cup, Super Cup, and Champions League.