Between England and Spain, the Ballon d'Or. Two years after the Euro Cup final, La Roja faces the Three Lions again in London at the start of the Nations League (8:45 p.m., TVE-1), but the focus is on Harry Kane and Lamine Yamal. Nothing new. But this time, interest does not rest on the green carpet of the grass but on the red one of the London Palladium, where the France Football magazine gala will be held on October 26. Meanwhile, from France, Kylian Mbappé looks askance at Wembley. They do not want to rule out Dembélé, Kvaratskhelia and Fabián Ruiz. Of course, neither does Leo Messi. And Rodri, winner in 2024, does not want to get out of the race. “Do you think I don't want to win it?” replied the captain of Spain, laughing. "It is an award that does not depend on what one goes out to say. It depends on what you do on the field and on a jury of 100 journalists. As I have always said, individual titles are a reward for collective work. Obviously, out of preference, I always said that I wanted a Spaniard to win it. I would like to win it, but it does not depend on me."
They explained this Thursday at the Las Rozas Football City that they already saw Lamine Yamal a little tired of talking about the Ballon d'Or. “It seems as if he had to keep asking for it,” they underlined. And although it is not clear if that is what it seems, what is clear is that he wants it. “I sincerely believe that there are two of us who are the best in the world and this year I would deserve it for what I have won,” he assured Jorge Valdano. It was not the only interview of Barcelona's 10 in what has become an unprecedented year for the France Football magazine award and not only because the gala is held outside of Paris: the candidates campaign. "Now is my best opportunity. If it will also be in the future, we will have to wait," claimed Harry Kane in the Wembley press room, prior to the duel against Spain.
It was not the first time he had talked about the Ballon d'Or. “I have never liked to talk too much about myself,” he began in an interview with Marca in an attempt at humility. It didn't last long. Immediately afterwards, he reflected: “It is true that reaching 73 goals, the second highest number in history, speaks for itself.” The first is from a guy named Leo Messi (82, in the 2011-2012 season), the highest winner of the award (eight), who never claimed it. He didn't do it this year either. He has other concerns: he is preparing to say farewell to the Argentine team on October 6 against Benin at the Monumental.
PSG players did join the campaign. The three of them together gave an interview to the NY Times. "If you ask any player, we don't really think about individual awards; they come as a consequence of the team's success. That's the job of the people who decide who has to win the Ballon d'Or," Kvaratskhelia said. Previously, Dembélé, in an interview that was more political than football-related with France Football, had said: "He should stay in Paris. The best in the world is Kvaratskhelia."
Mbappé wants it
Dembélé wants him in Paris, Lamine in Barcelona, Kane in Munich and Mbappé wants to take him to Madrid. "Objectively, I can understand those who vote differently. There is no dictatorship of thought. But when you analyze the arguments and the competition, it wouldn't be unfair. No one has done better last season than me," claimed the French forward, top scorer in World Cup history (22), who limped off last night with knee discomfort after making it 0-1 against Turkey.
The noise, at least that of the players, will end soon: voting for the Ballon d'Or closes next Monday. Therefore, this weekend is presented as the last showcase for the candidates. And few better than Wembley in an England-Spain. Not to mention Lamine and La Roja, who debut the second star on the shirt. "It is the best scenario to do it and even more so against a rival like England. Almost nothing. There will surely be an atmosphere worthy of this match," said Luis de la Fuente. And he added: England is a great team. They have been finalists in the Euro Cup, semi-finalists in the World Cup... It is a powerhouse.”
Spain won the World Cup in New Jersey last summer, but had previously won the Nations League in 2023 and the European Championship in 2024. But De la Fuente wants more: "There will be no relaxation. I know these footballers and I know that they want to continue winning and they want to continue making history. The hunger has to be constant and this team has it. What we have done so far is not worth it. This team has a very big room for improvement."
Along the same lines, Rodri concluded: "We know what it means to be the current champions, but we understand that there is only the path of improvement to move forward. The past is the past and now it's time for the Nations League and tomorrow we will face a team that has played a great role in important competitions."
