Diego Simeone has snubbed Lamine Yamal and Kylian Mbappe to back Lionel Messi for the 2026 Ballon d'Or. The Atletico Madrid manager believes the Argentine superstar's remarkable World Cup exploits at 39 outweigh every other contender in a star-studded field.
Super-agent Jorge Mendes has claimed that Barcelona star Lamine Yamal is "by far" the best player in the world. The Portuguese representative believes the teenager is the only logical choice for the 2026 Ballon d'Or following his historic exploits for club and country.
Kylian Mbappe has reportedly alienated several of his France team-mates following his controversial public remarks regarding the Ballon d'Or. Ousmane Dembele is said to be particularly furious, viewing the comments as a betrayal, which has led to a tense atmosphere and the formation of two separate factions within the national team dressing room ahead of their upcoming fixtures.
Ousmane Dembele has offered a pointed response to Kylian Mbappe's recent claims regarding their respective career paths and standing in the game. Following Paris Saint-Germain's victory against Brest, the winger addressed the narrative of being "the chosen one" in a way that suggests a brewing rivalry for individual honors.
Barcelona sensation Lamine Yamal has officially thrown his hat into the ring for the 2026 Ballon d'Or, insisting he deserves to be crowned the best player on the planet. The 19-year-old superstar believes he and Kylian Mbappe currently stand alone at the top of the game, following a trophy-laden season for club and country.
Real Madrid delivered an emphatic response to their recent domestic slip-up by comfortably brushing aside city rivals Rayo Vallecano at the Santiago Bernabeu. Led by a clinical brace from Kylian Mbappe, the hosts moved level on points with leaders Barcelona to maintain strong early momentum at the top of the Liga table after five games.
Kylian Mbappe has opened up on his initial impressions of working under Jose Mourinho at Real Madrid following the manager summer arrival at the Spanish club. The French attacker has enjoyed a prolific start in Liga this season, but it is the Portuguese manager's intelligence that has made the biggest impact on him so far.
Kylian Mbappe insists he is the rightful winner of this year's Ballon d'Or, despite enduring a trophyless season with Real Madrid and suffering a World Cup semi-final exit with France. The prolific forward believes his individual goalscoring heroics and record-breaking international feats set him apart from his rivals.
Real Madrid head coach Jose Mourinho has mounted a strong defence of Vinicius Junior and Kylian Mbappe after the star pair faced whistles at the Santiago Bernabeu. Addressing the media before Saturday's Liga match against Rayo Vallecano, Mourinho insisted both players are giving everything for the team.
Real Madrid superstar Kylian Mbappe has broken his silence on a controversial viral meme that depicts him as a military dictator. The France captain expressed his concern over the trend, suggesting it highlights a worrying lack of historical and political understanding among modern football fans.
France's record-breaking captain doesn't deserve to be crowned the best player in the world, despite having the backing of his new manager at Real Madrid
Real Madrid star Kylian Mbappe has been named the club's Player of the Month for August following a vote by supporters. The French forward insisted it remains a privilege to represent Los Blancos while backing his team-mates to achieve great things this season.
Barcelona head coach Hansi Flick has boldly claimed that Lamine Yamal deserves to win the Ballon d'Or following his record-breaking performance in the Champions League. The teenage sensation was the catalyst as the Catalan giants dismantled Feyenoord 5-1 to open their European campaign in emphatic fashion.
Harry Kane has his “hat in the ring” when it comes to Ballon d’Or recognition, ex-England striker Andy Cole has told GOAL, but the prolific Bayern Munich striker is not considered to be a guaranteed pick for Golden Ball glory in 2026. The Three Lions captain does figure on the list of nominees, but faces fierce competition from the likes of Rodri, Kylian Mbappe, Lamine Yamal, Michael Olise and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia.
Kylian Mbappe equalled Raul's Champions League goalscoring tally to help Real Madrid secure a 2-1 victory over Inter. The France captain struck his 71st goal in the competition, guiding Jose Mourinho's side to a crucial European win at the Santiago Bernabeu.
With the Lionel Messi-Cristiano Ronaldo duopoly presumably disappearing into the rearview mirror, the battle for the Ballon d'Or hasn't felt so open for the best part of 20 years, with countless players now beginning each campaign believing they have a chance of claiming the most prestigious individual prize football has to offer. Ousmane Dembele emerged from a career plagued by injuries and inconsistencies to win the Golden Ball in 2025, and he is among a crowded field of contenders again in 2026.
