Zlatan Ibrahimovic shares his Ballon d’Or choice as a new favorite takes the lead
Zlatan Ibrahimovic thinks Barcelona and Spain forward Lamine Yamal, whom he once called “the best player in the world,” should win this year’s Ballon d’Or. Yamal came in second last year, just behind Ousmane Dembele, and is now one of the top picks along with Harry Kane and Kylian Mbappe.
In fact, the 19-year-old World Cup winner has even jumped ahead of Kane to become the favorite according to the bookmakers William Hill. His odds went from 6/5 earlier this week to 8/15 now, making him the clear frontrunner.
Earlier this week, Yamal shared his thoughts on the Ballon d’Or, saying it should go to players who “make you dream,” not just those who score the most goals. He told L’Equipe, “The Ballon d’Or is for the best player of the year, someone unique who brings joy and excitement to watching games. It’s not just about the number of goals. When I think of the Ballon d’Or, I think of players like Messi and Ronaldinho, who made you dream.”
With the ceremony set for October 26, the debate about who deserves the award is still going strong. Ibrahimovic has made his choice clear, supporting Yamal’s incredible form. Speaking to ESPN at the FC 27 launch in New York, Ibrahimovic said, “He (Yamal) is the best player in the world. Every time he gets the ball, he creates something special, no matter how many defenders are around him.”
Another interesting fact: no one has ever won more than one individual award at the same Ballon d’Or ceremony, but it might happen this time. For 2026, two players – Lamine Yamal and Pau Cubasi – are nominated in two categories at once (Men’s Ballon d’Or and the Kopa Trophy). Organizers said, “This has never happened before, but there’s no rule stopping a player from winning more than one trophy.”