“Ballon d’Or, now” – Luis de la Fuente says Rodri deserves best in the world tag

Spain manager Luis de la Fuente has demanded that the Ballon d’Or be awarded to Rodri Hernandez after he was instrumental for La Roja in their triumph at Euro 2024. Arguably it was the Manchester City’s midfielder’s most bittersweet match of the tournament, coming off injured at half-time, but he was later awarded the player of the tournament.

“Rodri, Ballon d’Or now, please, he’s the best in the world,” de la Fuente exclaimed.

The Spain coach is also due to be extended, with his current contract running until 2026, but a rumoured extension is on the way, and it would be a surprise if anything other was the case, after their success. De la Fuente said there would be no issues one way or another.

“I am happy, happy and on the part of the RFEF as well. I want to continue and I think the RFEF does too. There will be no problem modifying what needs to be modified (in his current contract). I think it will be done when it has to be done. If something needs to be reviewed, I’m not worried. The other thing will come when it has to come.”

While England nullified Spain for the most part in the first half, La Roja came out the blocks fast in the second, and began to cause issues. De la Fuente didn’t give too much away on his half-time team talk, but did tell his side to extend the plays a little more.

“What did I tell them at half-time? That we had to mature the game, they are the best, for me they are the greatest. We can always improve, it is our goal. Always thinking about being better,” he remarked to Sport.

Ultimately, England had no answers for Spain when they went after them in the second half, and neither did they cause La Roja major issues going forward, save for a brief spell. De la Fuente will likely take home the plaudits as the best manager in the tournament too.