Does he support Real Madrid? Surprise in the Spanish journalist's Ballon d'Or vote

José Félix Díaz, the editorial director of newspaper "AS" and Spain's representative in the Ballon d'Or vote, turned heads with his picks for the world's best three players. He put Frenchman Kylian Mbappé top, ahead of compatriot Lamine Yamal and Englishman Harry Kane, even though Kane claimed the award at the ceremony in London last Monday.

Yamal came second on Díaz's list, with Kane in third. The ranking left plenty asking why the Spanish journalist favoured the Real Madrid man over the Barcelona talent, particularly as Mbappé lifted no major trophy last season, with either his club or the France national team.

Yamal, by contrast, enjoyed a campaign stacked with silverware. He won the World Cup with Spain and added the Spanish league and Spanish Super Cup with Barcelona. Yet his own country's representative still left him in second rather than first.

Díaz took on the role of representing Spain on the Ballon d'Or jury, succeeding Alfredo Relaño and joining a line of journalistic names who have handled Spain's vote over the years.