‘Unacceptable escalation’: AS editor Jose Felix Diaz reports death threats over Ballon d’Or vote

AS editor Jose Felix Diaz says he has received death threats, abuse and incitement after ranking Kylian Mbappe above Lamine Yamal in his voting for the 2026 Ballon d’Or.

Diaz, who discussed the controversy on the television programme El Chiringuito, said the reaction to his choices had gone far beyond a disagreement about football. He claimed that people close to him had also been targeted by harassment, leaving him concerned about the safety of those around him.

The Spanish journalist said he accepted that others might disagree with his assessment of the players, but rejected the idea that a sporting award could justify personal attacks or threats.

He also criticised those who equate patriotism with an obligation to vote for a player from their own country. Diaz said there was no rule requiring him to select a Spanish footballer simply because he was Spanish.

According to Diaz, he had not anticipated the scale of the backlash. He said there had been attempts to damage his reputation and encourage hostility towards him, despite the fact that his Ballon d’Or list included four players from the Spain national team.

His final ranking placed Mbappe first and Yamal second.

Diaz explained that his decision was based on his judgement that Mbappe had produced the stronger overall level of performance. He said the Ballon d’Or vote was a matter of each journalist’s footballing assessment and personal conviction, rather than an exercise governed by nationality.

The AS director said he had ultimately received death threats, but added that he did not give them importance. At the same time, he admitted to feeling disappointed by the stance taken by some fellow journalists.

Diaz said he remained proud of his profession and of his membership of the Ballon d’Or judging panel. He also made clear that, despite the abuse and threats, he would make the same professional choice again.