Espanyol’s Monchi champions Lamine Yamal as Ballon d’Or favourite

Espanyol sporting director Monchi has publicly declared Barcelona’s Lamine Yamal as his choice for the upcoming Ballon d’Or, insisting the teenager would deserve the award after Spain’s dominant 2026 FIFA World Cup triumph.

Spain’s World Cup triumph fuels award hopes

The Spanish national side, known as La Roja, lifted the 2026 FIFA World Cup with a convincing performance, prompting speculation that several squad members could feature in the individual honours slated for the coming months. Monchi highlighted that the entire group contributed, making the whole roster strong contenders for the Ballon d’Or and other accolades.

While the Ballon d’Or inevitably commands the spotlight, the post‑World Cup analysis revealed no single Spanish player emerged as the decisive factor; the victory was built on collective effort across the pitch.

Yamal’s strengths and the competition

Evaluating club achievements and national impact, Monchi argued that Lamine Yamal stands out as a top candidate, with Barcelona fully backing his candidacy. He noted that Yamal’s World Cup winner’s medal gives him an edge over rivals.

Nevertheless, the French forward Kylian Mbappé and England’s Harry Kane remain formidable opponents, each boasting impressive numbers for club and country.

Monchi also acknowledged that Yamal’s average individual displays at the World Cup could work against him, despite the prestige of the tournament win.

Speaking to the media at a recent SPORT event, Monchi said, “It’s complicated. I think there is a case for three or four players who can qualify for it.” He added, “I do shoot for being Spanish, I think Lamine would deserve it.”

The director further suggested that French supporters will likely champion Mbappé, while English fans may back Kane, underscoring the diverse opinions surrounding the award. He concluded, “It’s not easy. It will always arouse controversy,” reflecting the expected debate over the final decision.