Spain’s latest statement arrived under the lights against Croatia, with Lamine Yamal at the centre of it. The Barcelona teenager scored twice and created another in a 4-1 Nations League win on Tuesday, prompting Luis de la Fuente to hail both his brilliance and his willingness to serve the team.
Yamal’s decisive night against Croatia
De la Fuente said he is normally reluctant to focus on one player, but felt Yamal’s display made that impossible after the 4-1 victory.
- Yamal scored two goals and provided one assist against Croatia.
- The Spain coach praised his impact in both collective and individual terms.
- De la Fuente described the young forward as generous, saying he puts his talent, imagination and spectacular football at the service of the side.
“You know I do not like highlighting individuals, but sometimes it is impossible not to,” De la Fuente said. “I have to underline Lamine’s work, both collectively and individually.”
He added that Spain were fortunate to possess a player of Yamal’s quality, repeating his belief that the Barcelona prospect is a major asset for the national team.
De la Fuente calls for greater Spanish recognition
The discussion then moved to the Ballon d’Or, where De la Fuente argued that Spanish football has not received the recognition it has earned over the years. He pointed to past frustrations involving Xavi and Andrés Iniesta, believing Spain should have had more winners of the award.
“Spanish football would have deserved more than one Ballon d’Or in its history,” he said. “We have not known how to promote our product and our expertise. It is time to do so, because these are truly the best players in the world.”
The coach insisted that Yamal has the credentials to compete for the prize, while stressing that the teenager is part of a wider group of Spanish players deserving attention.
- Fabián Ruiz was included among the players De la Fuente believes merit Ballon d’Or recognition.
- Rodri, Marc Cucurella and Ferran Torres were also named.
- De la Fuente noted that Spanish goalkeepers are among the nominees as well.
“They have everything needed to be nominated and to win the Ballon d’Or,” he said of Spain’s leading players.
An unbeaten run, but no room for complacency
Spain’s sequence without defeat now stands at 40 matches, extending a remarkable run for the reigning world and European champions. Yet De la Fuente warned that his side still have another level to reach.
The coach said Spain have not yet fulfilled their full potential, despite the results and the depth of their current squad. He also offered a deliberately blunt reminder that the unbeaten spell will not last forever.
At some point, De la Fuente said, his players will have to “take a slap” to bring them back down to earth.
