Barcelona president Joan Laporta has said teenage winger Lamine Yamal deserves to win the 2026 Ballon d'Or, describing him as a "genius" while speaking to reporters ahead of Barcelona's Champions League fixture against Feyenoord. Yamal was among the 30 nominees on the shortlist released by Ballon d'Or organizers on Tuesday, following a year in which the teenager enjoyed notable success with his club.

Barcelona winger Lamine Yamal has said he will not beg or campaign to win the 2026 Ballon d'Or award. Speaking to the media ahead of his side's Champions League clash on Wednesday, the teenager said voters would determine who takes home the individual prize in October. The comments, reported by Nigeria's Daily Post, come as speculation builds over this year's candidates for football's most prestigious individual honour.

Former Chelsea goalkeeper Petr Cech has named Lionel Messi as his pick to win the 2026 Ballon d'Or, overlooking other leading contenders including Harry Kane, Kylian Mbappé and Lamine Yamal. According to the report, Cech backed the eight-time winner to claim football's most prestigious individual prize once again, despite strong challenges from the England captain, the French forward and the young Barcelona star in the race for the award.

Mauricio Pochettino, head coach of the United States men's national team, has backed Bayern Munich striker Harry Kane to win the 2026 Ballon d'Or. According to the Daily Post, Pochettino said it is Kane's time to claim the award, arguing the England international deserves it just as past winners Luka Modrić, Fabio Cannavaro and Karim Benzema did. The Ballon d'Or is football's most prestigious individual honour, awarded annually to the world's best player.

Barcelona forward Lamine Yamal has become the first player to receive a Ballon d'Or nomination three times before turning 20, according to the Daily Post. The 19-year-old finished second in last year's award, behind Paris Saint-Germain's Ousmane Dembele. His latest nomination for the 2026 edition follows what the report describes as an outstanding season for both club and country, further cementing the Spain international's status as one of world football's brightest young talents.

Arsenal legend Thierry Henry has named his two favourites for the 2026 Ballon d'Or, speaking on CBS Sports. According to the Daily Post, Henry picked Real Madrid's Kylian Mbappe as his top choice to win the award, with Bayern Munich's Michael Olise tipped to finish close behind the France captain.