Ballon d’Or 2026: ‘It’s a two-man battle’ – Arsenal’s Riccardo Calafiori gives verdict on award

Arsenal defender, Riccardo Calafiori, has given his verdict on this year’s Ballon d’Or race.

Calafiori insisted that the race to win the Ballon d’Or this year is a two-man or three-man battle.

The Italy international spoke to RAI Sport after his team’s Nations League 3-1 win against Turkey on Monday evening at Renato Dall’Ara Stadium in Bologna.

The winner of the Ballon d’Or will be announced later this month, and the likes of Kylian Mbappe, Harry Kane, Lamine Yamal, Rodri, Fabian Ruiz and Michael Olise are among the top favourites for the award.

“No, I’m not going to get into the merits of these decisions,” Calafiori said about the 2026 Ballon d’Or.

“It’s a two-man or three-man battle, and you know who they are, but this year I have to say it is a bit difficult.”