The debate over who deserves to win the 2026 Ballon d’Or continues to heat up, and former France international Bixente Lizarazu has revealed his preferred candidate. His choice? None other than Barcelona superstar Lamine Yamal! 😱🔥
While several elite footballers are competing for the prestigious individual award, Lizarazu believes the young Spanish sensation possesses something that separates him from the rest: pure footballing genius! 🤯💎
Speaking on TF1, Lizarazu explained that his Ballon d’Or selection would be based primarily on team achievements, especially considering the importance of the UEFA Champions League and the 2026 FIFA World Cup. However, he also highlighted another quality that could ultimately make the difference: the ability to produce moments that leave football fans speechless.
And according to him, Lamine Yamal stands above the competition in that department! 👑⚽
🗣️ LIZARAZU EXPLAINS WHY HE FAVOURS YAMAL:
“I’m going to try to stick to my criteria. First of all, my criteria are team-based.
There was a season with two major competitions, the Champions League and the World Cup.
So there will be Kvara, there will be, among the players you mentioned, Lamine Yamal and Ousmane Dembélé.
The other criterion is what I would call the WOW FACTOR, the GENIUS. And for me, that leaves only Lamine Yamal.
What he does on a football pitch, and on top of that, he has raised his level even further recently.
It’s true that his World Cup wasn’t incredible, but he is still a world champion, he won the Spanish league, and he is a phenomenal player.”
🔥 THE WOW FACTOR: YAMAL’S BIGGEST WEAPON!
What makes Lamine so special is his ability to make extraordinary football look almost effortless. His close control, fearless dribbling, creativity, vision and ability to take on defenders have established him as one of the most exciting players of his generation.
At an age when many footballers are still trying to establish themselves, Yamal is already carrying enormous expectations at Barcelona and on the international stage. Every time he receives the ball, supporters anticipate something special, whether it is a defence-splitting pass, a spectacular dribble or a decisive contribution in the final third. 🤯💫
For Lizarazu, that ability to deliver moments of individual brilliance is a major reason why the Barcelona wonderkid deserves serious consideration for football’s biggest individual honour.
🏆 BUT THE COMPETITION IS FIERCE!
Lizarazu also mentioned Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Ousmane Dembélé among the players who could enter the conversation. Both possess the quality to influence major matches, making the race for the Ballon d’Or an intriguing battle between individual brilliance and collective success.
The Champions League and the World Cup are particularly important when assessing candidates in a season featuring both competitions. Performances on those enormous stages can dramatically influence how voters judge the leading contenders.
Nevertheless, Lizarazu believes Yamal’s extraordinary talent gives him a unique advantage, even while acknowledging that his World Cup performances were not exceptional.
🔵🔴 BARCELONA FANS HAVE ANOTHER REASON TO DREAM!
For Barça supporters, seeing another football legend publicly back Yamal for the Ballon d’Or is a huge statement about the teenager’s standing in world football.
However, praise from former players does not guarantee victory. The final outcome will depend on the applicable voting criteria, the candidates’ achievements and performances, and the voters’ assessments.
One thing is certain: Lamine Yamal has already established himself as a player capable of competing with the world’s biggest stars, and the debate surrounding his Ballon d’Or chances is unlikely to disappear anytime soon. 🌟👑
💬 BARÇA FANS, LET’S SETTLE THIS!
Does Lamine Yamal deserve to win the 2026 Ballon d’Or, or should another superstar take home the award? 🏆🔥
Drop your prediction below! 👇🔵🔴
