Barcelona forward Raphinha says his teammate Lamine Yamal should be the undisputed favourite to win the 2026 Ballon d’Or, calling him the player who should win “by a mile.” Both reports describe the comments as Raphinha’s latest public endorsement of Yamal amid the award’s nomination process.
The outlets say Yamal is among the 30 players shortlisted for the Ballon d’Or. They also note his status as a frontrunner linked to success with both Barcelona and Spain, including trophies. One outlet mentions that Raphinha is snubbed from the shortlist, framing his remarks as coming despite not being nominated himself.
Taken together, the coverage focuses less on voting mechanics or final odds and more on Raphinha’s confidence in Yamal’s case for the award, alongside the shared details of Yamal’s nomination and recent trophy wins.
