Ballon d’Or 2026: Manu Carreño Names Best Player In The World

Spanish radio presenter Manu Carreño has named Barcelona winger Lamine Yamal as the best player in the world.

Carreño made the statement while discussing the leading contenders for the 2026 Ballon d’Or, although he admitted that he does not know who will eventually win the prestigious award.

Yamal, Rodri, Fabian Ruiz, Harry Kane and Kylian Mbappe are among the players being discussed as potential winners ahead of the ceremony in London later this month.

“I don’t know who will win the Ballon d’Or, whether it’s Rodri, Kane, Lamine, Fabian, Mbappé or anyone else, but I think the best player in the world is Lamine Yamal,” Carreño said, as quoted by Barça Universal.

The Spanish presenter went further in his praise of the Barcelona teenager, saying Yamal has reached a level that makes him stand out among the world’s top players.

“For the first time ever, Spain has the best player in the world. His name is Lamine Yamal,” Carreño added.

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Yamal, who won the 2026 FIFA World Cup with Spain, has also enjoyed strong performances for Barcelona over the past two seasons. His form has made him one of the major names in the Ballon d’Or conversation.