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National Team, Women’s National Team
Thu, 05/09/2024 - 09:31

Spanish football shines once again in the Ballon d'Or nominations

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Luis de la Fuente is in the running for the best coach award and numerous players are also among the nominees.

Spanish football is going through a wonderful period, a reference in world football since, adding all the national team categories together, Spain are the current champions of ten different competitions. The present is splendid, also at club level, and hence the recognition from all over the world. Proof of the magnificent state of Spanish football are the numerous nominations for the Ballon d'Or, the best possible recognition for a job well done.

Luis de la Fuente, UEFA Nations League champion in 2023 and UEFA European Championships winner last July, is among those nominated for the best coach award. The coach La Rioja has produced some incredible numbers at the helm of the national team, but almost more important of all is how it has all been achieved. His way of understanding football and his fantastic group management, overcoming many adversities, have led to the applause of fans worldwide.

And his methods have been perfectly applied by players who have total faith in the coach. Among the nominees for best player, there are a handful of our internationals, six to be exact. All of them were at the European Championships, of course.

Rodrigo Hernández is in the shortlist after his splendid season with Manchester City and the national team, having also been chosen as the best player at the European Championships. There is also Dani Carvajal, who has also shone for his club with numerous titles, including the Champions League. Alejandro Grimaldo receives well-deserved recognition for his season with Bayer Leverkusen and Dani Olmo, who proved decisive at the European Championships, also appears among the nominees. They are joined, of course, by Nico Williams and Lamine Yamal, difference makers in Germany and young lads with the world at their feet.

At the Ballon d'Or Gala, the Kopa award for the best young player will also be presented, and Pau Cubarsí, Olympic gold medallist, and Lamine Yamal, who recently turned 17, are among the nominees. In addition, Unai Simón is among those shortlisted for the Yashin Award for best goalkeeper.

There is also a large representation of Spanish players in the women's category. Aitana Bonmatí, winner of last year's award, is once again among those selected, as is Alexia Putellas, who won in 2021 and 2022. Mariona Caldentey, now at Arsenal, has been recognised for her great work at Barça last season and Patri Guijarro, a standout midfielder, is also on the shortlist. The verticality, attacking prowess and energy of Salma Paralluelo, a talented all-round forward who has won everything, has also been nominated.

These prestigious awards also recognise the success of clubs and that is why Real Madrid and Girona, undoubtedly the revelation of last season in national football, receive recognition. In the women's category, Barça, who once again won the European Cup, are finalists for the award for best club. Jonatan Giráldez, the coach who led the Catalan giants, is in the running for the trophy. Also in the men's category for best coach are Manchester City's Pep Guardiola and Bayer Leverkusen's Xabi Alonso.