Ballon d’Or 2026: ‘Without Doubt’ – Garcia Names Player To Win Award

Barcelona defender Eric Garcia has backed teammate Lamine Yamal to win the 2026 Ballon d’Or without doubt.

Garcia believes Yamal deserves to claim the prestigious individual award, while placing Barcelona teammates Raphinha and Pedri behind him as his preferred top three.

“For me, the podium should be Barca: Lamine, Pedri and Raphinha,” Garcia said as quoted by Barca Blaugranes.

“Without a doubt, Lamine has to win, but that Raphinha and Pedri are not there seems incredible to me,” he added.

Yamal is among the favourites for this year’s Ballon d’Or and is included in the final list of 30 nominees competing for the award.

However, his Barcelona teammates Pedri and Raphinha were surprisingly left out of the 30-man shortlist despite Garcia believing they deserve to be among the leading contenders.

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