Spain head coach Luis de la Fuente has called for a Spanish player to lift the Ballon d'Or this year while tipping teenage sensation Lamine Yamal to claim the individual prize before long. Speaking ahead of next month's Nations League clash against the Czech Republic, the 65-year-old also reflected on the international retirement of Marcos Llorente.
Lamine Yamal offered warm praise to former Barcelona manager Xavi following his appointment as Netherlands head coach. The 19-year-old winger joked that his former mentor can win every international match with the Dutch national team, except when facing Spain.