2026 Ballon d’Or: A scandal – Deco blasts organisers for snubbing two players

Barcelona sporting director, Deco, has hit out at the organisers of the Ballon d’Or for excluding two of the club’s players from the 30-man nominees’ shortlist released on Tuesday.

The duo of Pedri and Raphinha are two of the notable names that were left out.

Barca only have Lamine Yamal included in the shortlist, despite the Spanish club winning the Copa del Rey and LaLiga titles.

Deco has described the snub as “a scandal”.

He said: “In my opinion, it’s a worldwide scandal that Pedri and Raphinha are out of the Ballon d’Or top 30.

“They absolutely deserved to be there.”

The winner of this year’s Ballon d’Or will be announced at an event in London on October 26.