Rodri names six contenders for 2026 Ballon d’Or but leaves out Mbappe and Messi

Rodri, the 2024 Ballon d’Or winner, has identified six players he believes should be considered for the 2026 award, including himself and five fellow Spanish players.

The Manchester City midfielder has returned to the 2026 Ballon d’Or shortlist after winning the World Cup and being named the tournament’s best player. He is therefore among the leading names being discussed, but his personal selection includes several surprises and omits some of the most prominent candidates.

Speaking on the Partizado de COPE programme, Rodri said he wanted a Spanish player to win the award and listed six footballers he felt had strong claims.

“What I really want is for a Spanish player to win it. There are six of us: Cucurella, Cubarsi, Rodri, Ruiz, Yamal and Torres,” he said, according to French network RMC.

“I can tell you that every one of them genuinely deserves the Ballon d’Or. I believe all my team-mates have strong arguments. Fabian Ruiz has won the most trophies, Cubarsi because of what he has achieved at just 19, Ferran scored the decisive goal, I won the award for the best player at the tournament, and Lamine… he is incredible.”

Rodri then asked: “Don’t you think they all have genuine arguments?”

Mbappe, Dembele and Messi overlooked

Rodri’s six-man list does not include several of the leading names commonly linked with the award, notably Kylian Mbappe, Ousmane Dembele, Harry Kane, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Lionel Messi.

“Don’t you think they all have genuine arguments to put forward? But in the end, there will only be one winner,” said the Barcelona player. “Fortunately, I am not one of the voters.”

He also said he understood the public campaigning by Mbappe and Lamine Yamal as they seek recognition as the world’s best player.

“I think it is great that they believe they are the best in the world,” Rodri said.

Rodri surprised by Raphinha omission

The midfielder also expressed surprise that his Barcelona team-mate Raphinha was not included in the 30-player Ballon d’Or shortlist.

“He is the player who surprised me more than anyone else by a huge distance,” Rodri said.

“I told him: ‘Wait, weren’t you playing on the wing at Leeds, moving inside and scoring a goal from time to time? And now you are playing as a centre-forward. That is beyond my ability to understand. I don’t understand how your name is not among the top 30 players for the Ballon d’Or.’”

Rodri confirms attendance in London

Rodri said he would attend the Ballon d’Or ceremony in London on 26 October, even if he believed another surprise could be in store.

“Yes, I will be there. I will go whatever happens. Even on the day of the Ballon d’Or, I thought they would not give me the award, but I attended,” he said.

Real Madrid boycotted the 2024 ceremony after learning the award would not go to their Brazilian player Vinicius Junior. Rodri eventually won the prize.