Spanish media question why Lamine Yamal is being overlooked in Ballon d’Or debate

Spanish media have expressed frustration that the possibility of a player from Spain’s national team winning the 2026 Ballon d’Or is being largely overlooked, despite La Roja winning the most recent World Cup.

With the ceremony due to take place in October, speculation has intensified over who is best placed to claim the award, which is presented to the world’s best player. France forward Kylian Mbappe, England striker Harry Kane, Argentina captain Lionel Messi and Spain’s Lamine Yamal are among the names being discussed.

Speaking on the Spanish radio programme El Larguero, broadcast by SER, journalist Manu Carreno said he was angry that Spain’s chances appeared to be dismissed.

“Do you know what makes me angry? We almost assume that a Spanish player will not win it, and we do not rebel against that,” he said.

Carreno argued that the debate had instead begun from the assumption that the award would go to one of the other leading contenders.

“We say: ‘Well, perhaps they will give it to Mbappe or perhaps Kane, because they have performed well and so on,’” he added, in comments reported by Mundo Deportivo.

“But at the same time, nobody has had such an extraordinary season that they have completely dominated everything and won the Ballon d’Or.”

Spain’s World Cup record questioned

Carreno also referred to Spain’s history at the World Cup, arguing that winning the tournament had not translated into success in the Ballon d’Or race on either occasion when La Roja lifted the trophy.

“In the end, in the year Spain won its first World Cup, in 2010, they did not give it to us, and now we have won the second World Cup and they have not given it to us either,” he said.

“And then everybody says that the World Cup is something great.”

Yamal is the leading Spanish presence in the 2026 Ballon d’Or field after a strong season with Barcelona and the Spain national team. The teenager is competing for the prize alongside several of the biggest names in world football.

The winner will be announced at the Ballon d’Or ceremony in London on 26 October.