Zlatan Ibrahimovic backs Lamine Yamal for 2026 Ballon d’Or

Zlatan Ibrahimovic has named Barcelona forward Lamine Yamal as his choice to win the 2026 Ballon d’Or, despite Thierry Henry preferring Real Madrid’s Kylian Mbappe.

The Sweden legend gave his verdict during a rapid-fire interview with ESPN at the launch of FC 27 in New York. Asked to choose his winner, the former Barcelona player replied: “Yamal.”

The 19-year-old is among the leading candidates for what is widely regarded as football’s most prestigious individual award after an outstanding season with Barcelona and Spain.

Yamal won La Liga and the World Cup, and was also named La Liga’s player of the year.

He finished second in last year’s Ballon d’Or voting and has been making his case ahead of this year’s award. In a series of interviews last month, Yamal discussed the achievements of previous greats, including Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo and Diego Maradona.

“There have been great stars in football, such as Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo and Diego Maradona… but nobody achieved as much so early,” he said.

“There was Pele, but nobody has done it in recent times.”

Ibrahimovic’s choice differs from that of Henry, his colleague at Fox Sports, who selected Mbappe instead.

“It’s Kylian Mbappe. Yes, some people will say he hasn’t won anything. I think that has happened in the history of the award before, so people should look into that,” Henry said earlier this month.

“But for me, it’s Kylian. When you look at what he has achieved individually… top scorer in the Champions League, top scorer in La Liga and also top scorer at the World Cup. Michael Olise has the same achievement in terms of assists.”

Henry acknowledged that the race featured several serious contenders rather than straightforward candidates, but said Mbappe remained his personal choice.

“I just wanted to make it clear that there are many candidates, and they are not ordinary candidates, in fairness,” he added. “But personally, I would choose Mbappe. Michael Olise is close to him.”

Ibrahimovic’s endorsement places Yamal ahead of a field that, according to Henry, also includes Mbappe and Michael Olise. The final choice will determine the winner of the 2026 Ballon d’Or.