Rodri Picks Six Spanish Stars Over Mbappe for 2026 Ballon d'Or

Barcelona midfielder Rodri has expressed his strong support for his fellow Spanish teammates to claim the 2026 Ballon d'Or, bypassing global superstars like Kylian Mbappe. Following Spain's World Cup victory, Rodri named six players from La Roja he believes truly deserve the prestigious award.

Spanish Candidates Only

The 30-year-old, who previously played for Manchester City, shared his six-player shortlist exclusively featuring Spanish internationals. Speaking on El Partidazo de COPE, Rodri emphasized his desire for a Spaniard to win the trophy.

• Marc Cucurella
• Pau Cubarsi
• Fabian Ruiz
• Lamine Yamal
• Ferran Torres
• Rodri himself

"What I would really like is for a Spaniard to win it," Rodri said. "There are six of us nominated: Cucurella, Cubarsi, Rodri, Ruiz, Lamine, and Ferran. I can tell you that, individually, every one of them absolutely deserves the Ballon d'Or. I think all my teammates have solid arguments."

Why These Six?

Rodri detailed what sets each of his compatriots apart. He pointed out that Fabian Ruiz had collected the most titles over the course of the season. The young Pau Cubarsi impressed at just 19 years old, while Lamine Yamal was described as "incredible." Ferran Torres scored the critical goal when it mattered most. Rodri also mentioned his own achievement as Player of the Tournament.

"Fabian Ruiz is the one who has won the most titles," he explained. "Cubarsi, for what he has achieved at just 19 years old. Ferran scored the decisive goal. As for me, I was named Player of the Tournament. And Lamine is incredible."

Not Picking the Global Stars

By focusing solely on his Spanish teammates, Rodri left out some of football's biggest names like Kylian Mbappe, Harry Kane, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, and Ousmane Dembele. Despite their impressive scoring records, Rodri acknowledged the hype around these forwards but stayed firm in his belief.

"I think it's great that they consider themselves the best in the world," he said calmly.

Upcoming Fixtures

• UEFA Nations League A: England vs Spain on 26 Sept 2026 at 21:45
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