Luis de la Fuente on the Ballon d'Or and announces changes ahead of Croatia
Spain coach Luis de la Fuente has said he would love to win the Ballon d'Or during a press conference, while announcing changes to his team for Tuesday's Nations League match against Croatia.
Luis de la Fuente, the head coach of the Spain national team, has spoken about his personal and collective ambitions on the eve of an important match. According to Europa Press, he said he would make "a few changes" to "refresh" his squad ahead of the second matchday of the Nations League against Croatia, scheduled for Tuesday at the Ramón Sánchez-Pizjuán. He also stressed that "any one" of his 26 players could aspire to a place in the starting line-up.
An open ambition
Asked about the Ballon d'Or, the Spanish coach showed his ambition. "Me haría muchísima ilusión ganar el Balón de Oro. Que tomen nota," he said, according to El Mundo and 20minutos. A statement picked up by ElDesmarque, which quotes him: "Postularme no va conmigo, pero me gustaría". De la Fuente was nonetheless keen to qualify his remarks, specifying that he was not putting himself forward but that he was not hiding his desire.
A special context
This comes as Spain, the reigning world champions, prepare for their next fixture after their prestigious victory over England at Wembley, reports OKDIARIO. Tuesday's meeting with Croatia is shaping up to be a test for a team that wants to build on its London success.