England host Spain in a Nations League match at Wembley, a fixture that has revived talk of the Ballon d’Or race.
What happened
England and Spain will meet in London on Thursday at 20:45 CET, broadcast on TVE-1. The game marks the first encounter between the two sides since the Euro 2022 final.
Why it matters
The match is drawing attention to the upcoming France Football awards ceremony on 26 October at the London Palladium, where the 2024 Ballon d’Or will be presented. Players such as Harry Kane, Lamine Yamal, Kylian Mbappé, Ousmane Dembélé, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, Fabián Ruiz and Lionel Messi are all mentioned as potential candidates.
Background
Spain’s captain Rodri, the 2024 Ballon d’Or winner, said the prize depends on performance and a jury of 100 journalists, not on personal statements. He added he would prefer a Spanish winner but acknowledged the outcome is beyond his control.
What comes next
After the Wembley showdown, the focus will shift to the France Football gala, where the shortlist will be finalized and the winner announced. Journalists and fans will watch closely to see if any of the highlighted stars can add the coveted trophy to their résumé.