Ballon d’Or: ‘He’s Ahead’ – Jorge Mendes Names Player Most Deserving Of 2026 Award

Renowned football agent Jorge Mendes has backed Barcelona winger Lamine Yamal to win the 2026 Ballon d’Or.

Mendes was asked by reporters which player he believes deserves the prestigious award after recently meeting Barcelona president Joan Laporta.

The Portuguese agent insisted that Yamal is ahead of all the other contenders and deserves to be crowned the world’s best player.

“Yamal is definitely going to win it, right? He’s the most deserving,” Mendes said, as quoted by Mundo Deportivo.

He further praised the Barcelona star, insisting that Yamal has separated himself from the other nominees with his performances.

“He is without a doubt the best in the world, and he’s ahead of everyone else by a wide margin.”

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Yamal has been named among the 30 nominees for the 2026 Ballon d’Or and will now hope to secure the prestigious individual award for the first time.