Al Nassr forward João Félix told the Spanish daily AS that Barcelona teenager Lamine Yamal should be crowned the winner of the 2026 Ballon d’Or, ahead of England’s Harry Kane and France’s Kylian Mbappé.
Félix highlighted Yamal’s role in Spain’s triumph at this year’s FIFA World Cup as a key factor, noting that “in World Cup years winning the tournament is extremely important in order to get closer to the Ballon d’Or.”
“I have always defended the idea that the Ballon d’Or should go to the player you see and say: this is a star and he deserves for his name to be immortalised in football,” Félix said.
He added that Yamal’s performances keep viewers “glued to the screen,” and while acknowledging that Kane and Mbappé “had a great season,” he believes Yamal is the player who truly embodies “football.”
The Ballon d’Or, awarded annually by France Football, often reflects achievements in major tournaments, with World Cup winners traditionally receiving strong support from voters in World Cup years.
<small>Source: Daily Post Nigeria — read the original story there.</small>
