Rodri Reveals Lamine Yamal as Barcelona’s Ballon d’Or Pick
Barcelona have thrown their support behind Lamine Yamal in the 2026 Ballon d’Or race, with midfielder Rodri confirming that the club considers the 19-year-old its preferred candidate.
Rodri made the revelation while speaking to Mundo Deportivo, with the Spanish midfielder backing his Barcelona teammate after another impressive campaign.
“Ballon d’Or? The club has chosen to back Lamine. They say he’s the player most deserving of the award, and that’s completely legitimate,” Rodri said.
“I hope that a Spanish player wins,” he added.
Rodri’s endorsement comes after Yamal finished second in last year’s Ballon d’Or voting behind Ousmane Dembélé.
The Barcelona star is now seeking to go one step further after a season in which his profile continued to rise.
Yamal also has a major international achievement behind his latest candidacy after helping Spain win the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
His success with Barcelona and the national team has placed him among the leading contenders for the award.
Yamal faces strong Ballon d’Or competition
The teenager’s main challengers include Kylian Mbappé and Harry Kane, both of whom produced outstanding individual campaigns.
Kane’s remarkable scoring record for Bayern Munich has strengthened his claim, while Mbappé remains one of the world’s most prolific forwards.
However, Yamal can point to the combination of individual performances and major trophies, particularly Spain’s World Cup triumph.
Rodri’s support is also significant given his own standing in the award’s history. He won the 2024 Ballon d’Or while at Manchester City after playing a key role in their success.
With Barcelona now openly backing Yamal, the youngster has the club’s full support as he attempts to turn last year’s second-place finish into Ballon d’Or glory.