London: Spain coach Luis de la Fuente was named Coach of the Year at the 2026 Ballon d’Or ceremony after guiding the national team to the FIFA World Cup title. Spain goalkeeper Unai Simón also received the award for the world’s best goalkeeper following his impressive performances during the tournament.
De la Fuente, who took charge of Spain in 2023, has led the team through a successful period. Under his leadership, Spain won the UEFA Nations League in 2022-23, the European Championship in 2024 and the 2026 World Cup.
His side impressed with its possession-based football, attacking apprroch and ability to control matches. Spain conceded just one goal during the World Cup, which came in a closely contested match against Belgium.
Spain also defeated major opponents, including France and Argentina, on its way to the title. The team’s performances strengthened De la Fuente’s standing among the leading coaches in international football.
De la Fuente Leads Spain to Historic Run
Spain’s success under De la Fuente has also been marked by a remarkable unbeaten record. The team went 42 consecutive international matches without defeat, setting a new milestone in international football.
His work has helped Spain return to the top of the game, bringing major trophies and consistency to the national side.
Unai Simón Named Best Goalkeeper
Spain goalkeeper Unai Simón was named the world’s best goalkeeper at the ceremony after playing a key role in the team’s World Cup triumph.
The Athletic Club goalkeeper produced a series of strong performances during the tournament in North America. He went 560 consecutive minutes without conceding a goal at the World Cup, surpassing the previous record of 517 minutes set by Italy’s Walter Zenga during the 1990 tournament.
The record had stood for 36 years before Simón surpassed it. His performances made him one of Spain’s key players during its successful World Cup campaign.