Alex Baena picks Lamine Yamal, Rodri, Messi as his Ballon d’Or 2026 favourites

Alex Baena, the Atletico Madrid midfielder, has named Lamine Yamal, Rodri, and Lionel Messi as his top three favourites to win the 2026 Ballon d’Or. Speaking in an interview shared by DAZN Futbol, Baena called Yamal 'the best in the world', praised Rodri for his World Cup performance, and highlighted Messi’s achievement of competing at 39 years old.

For Nigerian football fans, the Ballon d’Or remains a major talking point that shapes conversations in viewing parties, influences youth aspirations, and informs betting or fantasy league picks. Knowing which players insiders like Baena are backing helps fans engage more deeply in the debate, especially as only Yamal has never won the award while Rodri is a former holder and Messi holds the record with eight titles.

The award ceremony is scheduled for October 2026. Messi aims for a record ninth, Rodri hopes to defend, and Yamal seeks his first. Will you back Messi’s longevity, Rodri’s consistency, or Yamal’s rising star—or do you think another player, perhaps one with Nigerian ties, deserves consideration?

SOURCE: https://dailypost.ng/2026/09/19/ballon-dor-2026-alex-baena-names-top-3-players-to-win-award/