“Ballon d'Or, now” – Spain manager Luis de la Fuente says Euro 2024 star deserves the best in the world tag

Spain manager Luis de la Fuente called for the Ballon d'Or to be awarded Rodri Hernandez after he was instrumental for La Roja in their triumph at Euro 2024. It was probably the Manchester City midfielder's most bittersweet game of the tournament, he went off injured at half-time but was later awarded player of the tournament.

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

The coach of Spain is also supposed to be extended, with his current contract that lasts until 2026, but an extension is rumored to be on the way, and it would be a surprise if something else were the case, after his success. De la Fuente said there would be no problems one way or the other.

“I am happy, happy and also on the part of the RFEF. I want to continue and I think the RFEF does too. There will be no problem to modify what needs to be modified (in his current contract). I think it will be done when it needs to be done. If something needs to be reviewed, I'm not worried about the other thing coming up.”

While England blanked Spain for the most part in the first half, La Roja got out of the blocks quickly in the second, and began to cause problems. De la Fuente didn't give too much away about his halftime team talk, but told his side to extend the plays a little more.

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

Ultimately, England had no answers for Spain when they went after them in the second half, and they didn't cause La Roja any major problems going forward, save for a brief spell. De la Fuente will probably take home the plaudits as the best manager of the tournament.