Jorge Mendes Names Lamine Yamal as Most Deserving of 2026 Ballon d’Or

Renowned football agent Jorge Mendes has backed Barcelona winger Lamine Yamal to win the 2026 Ballon d’Or, insisting the teenage star is ahead of every other contender.

Mendes made the declaration after being asked by reporters about his choice for the prestigious individual award following his recent meeting with Barcelona president Joan Laporta.

The Portuguese football agent was unequivocal in his assessment, saying Yamal is the player most deserving of the honour.

“Yamal is definitely going to win it, right? He’s the most deserving,” Mendes said, as quoted by Mundo Deportivo.

He went further to describe the Barcelona winger as the best player in the world, arguing that Yamal is significantly ahead of his rivals in the race for the award.

“He is without a doubt the best in the world, and he’s ahead of everyone else by a wide margin,” Mendes added.

Yamal has been included among the 30 players nominated for the 2026 Ballon d’Or, putting him in contention for one of football’s most prestigious individual honours.

The Barcelona star has continued to attract widespread attention with his performances and has emerged as one of the leading young players in world football.

Mendes’ endorsement is likely to add further weight to the growing debate over who should claim the award, with Yamal now firmly among the names being discussed as a potential winner.