CORNERFLICK
Luis Figo has named Lamine Yamal as his pick to win the 2026 Ballon d'Or, placing the Spain international above Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappé in a bracket-style contest.
Figo's picks
According to Fotballi, Figo took part in a seven-step elimination game with eight players involved: Harry Kane, Erling Haaland, Rodri, Lamine Yamal, Kylian Mbappé, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, Messi and Ousmane Dembélé.
He chose Messi over Dembélé, Kane over Haaland, Yamal over Rodri and Mbappé over Kvaratskhelia in the quarter-finals. In the semi-finals, he backed Messi against Kane and Yamal against Mbappé.
Final choice
The final came down to Messi and Yamal, with Figo siding with the Barcelona forward.
Figo said Messi has already won the Ballon d'Or several times, which is why he picked Yamal this time. The source also says Yamal and Mbappé are among the main contenders for the 2026 prize.