A magical night for Spanish football in Paris

Monday, 28 October, was a historic day for Spanish football in Paris. Aitana Bonmatí and Rodrigo Hernández won the Ballon d’Or at a lavish ceremony that also saw Lamine Yamal receive the Kopa Trophy, while Real Madrid and FC Barcelona were named the best clubs in the men’s and women’s categories, respectively. It was an unforgettable evening, with national coach Luis de la Fuente Castillo also in the spotlight as a candidate for the best coach award, following his remarkable achievements with the Spanish national team.

Luis de la Fuente, current champion of the Euros and the UEFA Nations League, was shortlisted among an elite group of nominees that included fellow Spaniards Josep Guardiola and Xabi Alonso, as well as Argentina’s Lionel Scaloni (also trained by the Spanish Football Federation) and Italians Carlo Ancelotti (winner) and Gian Piero Gasperini.

De la Fuente was appointed head coach of Spain’s senior men’s team in December 2022 after leading Spain to victory in the U-19 and U-21 European Championships, and winning a silver medal at the Tokyo Olympics. In less than two years at the helm, he has guided the team to the UEFA Nations League and Euro 2024 titles, the latter won this past summer in Germany, where they celebrated an unforgettable, undefeated tournament that earned unanimous praise from fans, the press, and professionals in the world of football.

De la Fuente’s inclusion among the nominees for the Johan Cruyff award capped off a night to remember at Paris’s Théâtre du Châtelet. A magnificent setting for Rodrigo Hernández to became the first Spanish footballer to win the Ballon d’Or in 64 years, following Luis Suárez’s victory in 1960.

Another Spanish European champion, Catalan Lamine Yamal, claimed the Kopa Trophy for best young player of last season, with defender Pau Cubarsí also nominated for the award, finishing fifth.

In the men’s category, Dani Carvajal, Alejandro Grimaldo, Dani Olmo, Nico Williams, and Lamine Yamal all featured on the Ballon d’Or shortlist, while Unai Simón finished runner-up for the Lev Yashin Trophy, awarded to the world’s best goalkeeper.

On the women’s side, the highlight of the evening was Spanish player Aitana Bonmatí winning the award for best player in the world for the second consecutive year, standing out among fellow nominees, including her national teammates Salma Paralluelo (bronze), Mariona Caldentey, Patricia Guijarro, and Alexia Putellas, the latter having won the Ballon d’Or in 2021 and 2022.

In addition, Jennifer Hermoso received the Socrates Award for her role in championing women’s rights in football, becoming the first woman to be honoured in this category.

An array of awards and recognitions marked this historic day for Spanish football, attesting to the unstoppable, globally acclaimed momentum of Spanish football.