Spain boss De la Fuente: Barcelona’s Lamine Yamal is not ‘a candidate’ for Ballon d’Or | OneFootball

Spanish national team head coach Luis de la Fuente has revealed his take that Lamine Yamal should not be considered just ‘a candidate’ for the next Ballon d’Or.

Those of a Barcelona persuasion, though, need not get themselves up in arms just yet…

This comes with De la Fuente having instead assured that the 17-year-old should be the only player under consideration for the award.

Wide-man Lamine of course featured from the off on the international front last night, as Spain locked horns with Portugal in the final of the Nations League.

En route to an eventual penalty shootout defeat for La Roja, however, the attacker endured a rare off night, largely struggling to make an impact on proceedings.

Speaking to the media on the back of the full-time whistle at the Allianz Arena, manager Luis de la Fuente was therefore asked if Spain missing out on the Nations League title should impact Lamine’s Ballon d’Or candidacy.

The tactician, though, was unwavering in his response:

“No, Lamine Yamal is not a candidate for the Ballon d’Or. He’s the best player in the world, and he’s done more than enough to win the Ballon d’Or.”

Conor Laird – GSFN