On Monday, October 26, Luis de la Fuente was presented with the Johan Cruyff Trophy at the Ballon d’Or ceremony in London, recognising him as the 2026 Men’s Coach of the Year. The award comes after Spain’s triumph in the FIFA World Cup, where the national team defeated Argentina 1‑0 in the final on July 19.
De la Fuente, who took charge of Spain’s senior side in December 2022, has now added a World Cup title to a string of successes that includes the 2023 UEFA Nations League and Euro 2024. His 65‑year‑old team remained unbeaten across eight matches in the expanded 2026 tournament, conceding only one goal and securing seven clean sheets from goalkeeper Unai Simón, a record for a single men’s World Cup edition.
The Spanish coach edged out a field of heavyweight contenders, including Arsenal’s Mikel Arteta, Paris Saint‑Germain’s Luis Enrique, Aston Villa’s Unai Emery and Bayern Munich’s Vincent Kompany. De la Fuente’s win also makes him the oldest coach to lift a men’s FIFA World Cup, surpassing Vicente del Bosque’s 2010 record.
Spain’s victory over Argentina, secured by Ferran Torres’ 106th‑minute strike, cemented the country’s status as a global football powerhouse and marked the first time a nation has held both men’s and women’s World Cup titles simultaneously. De la Fuente’s recognition underscores the impact of his long‑term work with Spain’s youth and senior teams, positioning him among Europe’s leading international coaches.
The Johan Cruyff Trophy, traditionally awarded to club managers, now highlights the growing influence of national‑team coaches on the world stage.
