The 2026 Ballon d’Or race has taken another dramatic twist after LaLiga president Javier Tebas publicly revealed the player he believes should lift the prestigious award.
And his choice is not Lamine Yamal.
Tebas has thrown his support behind Barcelona midfielder Rodri, backing the Spanish star to win the Ballon d’Or for a second time after his extraordinary performances at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The decision is bound to spark debate among Barcelona supporters, particularly because Yamal has established himself as one of the strongest candidates for the individual prize.
The teenager enjoyed an outstanding 2025/26 campaign with Barcelona, helping the club retain the LaLiga title while being named the league’s Player of the Season. He finished the domestic campaign with 16 goals and 12 assists, underlining just how influential he was throughout the season.
But Tebas believes Rodri’s impact for Spain at the World Cup should ultimately decide the contest.
Rodri played a central role in Spain’s World Cup triumph and was named the tournament’s best player. Despite missing a significant portion of the club season because of injury, his performances on the biggest international stage have convinced Tebas that he deserves to claim the award again.
“I think Rodri should win the Ballon d’Or again,” Tebas said, making his position crystal clear.
That endorsement places Rodri and Yamal in an especially fascinating situation.
Both are now Barcelona teammates. Both played important roles for Spain. And both are being discussed among the leading candidates for the biggest individual prize in football.
Yamal has the advantage of an exceptional club season and his status as LaLiga’s Player of the Season, while Rodri has the strongest possible international argument after controlling midfield during Spain’s World Cup-winning campaign.
The wider race is packed with heavyweight contenders too. Kylian Mbappé remains firmly in contention after another prolific campaign, while Harry Kane and several PSG stars have strong cases of their own.
For Yamal, however, Tebas’ comments add another layer to what is already an intense Ballon d’Or battle.
The Barcelona wonderkid may have produced numbers and performances worthy of the crown, but his biggest obstacle could now be a teammate who returned from injury, conquered the World Cup and has already won the Ballon d’Or once.
The question is no longer simply whether Lamine Yamal can win the 2026 Ballon d’Or.
It is whether he can beat Rodri to it.
