Ballon d'Or 2026: Gavi names his favourite

Gavi wants to see Lamine Yamal win the 2026 Ballon d’Or. The FC Barcelona midfielder is backing his young teammate, who is among the leading contenders for the award alongside Harry Kane and Kylian Mbappé. Ousmane Dembélé, the reigning winner, and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia were also mentioned by the Spain international.

“Ousmane is my brother. I was really happy that he won it last season. Kvaratskhelia has to be in the Top 5 because he had an exceptional season. But this year, I hope Lamine, whom I also consider my brother, wins it because he is the best,” Gavi said.

Lamine Yamal, a top-level season with Barça

Lamine Yamal has a strong case to challenge for the individual award. During the 2025-2026 season, the Spanish winger scored 24 goals and provided 17 assists in 41 direct contributions across all competitions with FC Barcelona. He also stood out for his creativity and ability to make a difference in one-on-one situations.

At just 19 years old, the Barcelona player can also draw on Spain’s campaign, which saw them crowned world champions in 2026. His attacking contribution during the tournament was less prominent than during his club season, with one goal scored in eight appearances. Nevertheless, this World Cup title is an important element of his case.

Also read: Ballon d’Or 2026: Lamine Yamal’s plan to celebrate winning the title

Harry Kane and Kylian Mbappé, two serious contenders

Against Lamine Yamal, Harry Kane and Kylian Mbappé have compelling attacking credentials. With Bayern Munich, the English striker enjoyed an exceptional season, scoring 61 goals in 51 appearances across all competitions. He notably scored 14 times in the Champions League and helped Bayern win the Bundesliga title. His performances for England, for whom he scored six goals at the World Cup, also strengthen his candidacy.

Kylian Mbappé also enjoyed a prolific season with Real Madrid. The French striker finished as La Liga’s top scorer with 25 goals and the Champions League’s top scorer with 15 goals. His total reached 42 goals in 44 matches across all competitions for the Madrid club. He also finished the World Cup with ten goals, a record for a player in that edition.

The three forwards therefore enter the race with different strengths: Yamal’s creativity and influence, Kane’s efficiency and Mbappé’s attacking power. Gavi, for his part, has already made his choice: he wants to see his friend and teammate lift the 2026 Ballon d’Or.

Nouya M'toama

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Versatile journalist specializing in sports and political news, with extensive experience across radio, print and digital media platforms.

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