Ballon d’Or 2026: ‘He’s a genius’ – Jorge Mendes names player who deserves to win award

Jorge Mendes, the former agent of Cristiano Ronaldo, has named Barcelona winger Lamine Yamal as the only player who deserves to win the 2026 Ballon d’Or.

Mendes described the Spain international as a genius, adding that no footballer can be compared to him.

“The Ballon d’Or is for a genius, and Lamine Yamal is the only one who can win it this year. He’s a genius, no one can compare after this season,” Mendes said as quoted by Fabrizio Romano.

“It’s more than fair to consider him the one to win the Ballon d’Or 2026 after winning the World Cup, La Liga and having a great season with Barcelona, one more time. He deserves it.”

Yamal won the FIFA World Cup with Spain and also won the LaLiga title with Barcelona last season.

He also came in second place behind Paris Saint-Germain’s Ousmane Dembele in the 2025 Ballon d’Or ranking.