'Deserves it' - Gary Lineker reveals his Ballon d'Or pick and makes prediction about Barcelona wonderkid Lamine Yamal

Teen sensation Yamal is on the 30-man shortlist pieced together by France Football that will see the title of best player on the planet handed out alongside a prestigious Golden Ball. He is not considered to be a leading contender to land that prize just yet.

For now, Real Madrid forward Vinicius Junior tops the Ballon d’Or betting – after helping the Blancos to La Liga and Champions League crowns last season. His club colleague, England international Jude Bellingham, is another leading contender.

Ex-England and Barca striker Lineker is, however, of the opinion that Yamal’s international colleague Rodri – who remains a talismanic presence for Premier League champions Manchester City - would be the most deserving recipient, telling The Rest Is Football podcast when making his predictions: “I think Rodri deserves it. Obviously, they didn’t win the Champions League at City but they did win the Premier League and then the Euros with Spain where he was very much their leader.

“Young player of the year I’ve got a feeling will be Lamine Yamal. He could win that for the next five years!”

The Kopa Trophy is handed out at the Ballon d’Or ceremony to the best performing player under the age of 21. Yamal, who continues to break records at 17, is highly fancied to claim that award at an event that will take place in Paris on October 28.