Ballon d’Or 2026: Rodri names his six favourites

Another statement on the 2026 Ballon d’Or from a world champion. Rodri has named his favourites.

In an interview with El Partidazo de COPE in recent hours, Rodri revealed his six favourites for the 2026 Ballon d’Or. The best player of the 2026 World Cup wants the award to go to a Spanish player after La Roja’s victory at the World Cup.

"What I would really like is for a Spaniard to win it. There are six of us (nominees): Cucurella, Cubarsi, Rodri, Ruiz, Lamine and Ferran. I can tell you that, individually, each of them absolutely deserves the Ballon d’Or... I think all my teammates have strong arguments. Fabian Ruiz is the one who has won the most trophies. Cubarsi, for what he has achieved at just 19 years old. Ferran scored the decisive goal. As for me, I was named the best player of the tournament. And Lamine is incredible," said the FC Barcelona midfielder.

Read also: Ballon d’Or 2026: Spanish journalists take aim at Mbappé

Rodri did not name certain favourites such as Kylian Mbappé, Harry Kane, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia or Ousmane Dembélé. He nevertheless said he understood their media campaign. "I think it’s wonderful that they consider themselves the best in the world," he added.

Joshua SOSSOU

Editorfr, en, ar

As a sports fan, and particularly a football fan, I've been putting my writing talent to good use for a number of years now to promote African talent and the continent's football in general. On Foot Africa, enjoy reading each of my lines.

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