Daily Post Nigeria
Following Spain's victory in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Lamine Yamal has emerged as the frontrunner for the Ballon d'Or. Betting markets currently favor the 19-year-old over competitors like Harry Kane, Lionel Messi, and Kylian Mbappe.
Why it matters
The Ballon d'Or is the most prestigious individual award in professional football, and this year's race reflects the shifting landscape of global talent following a major international tournament.
The top four players to win this year's Ballon d'Or have been revealed after the 2026 FIFA World Cup final. Spain are the new champions, after they edged the holders Argentina 1-0 on Sunday night. Ferran Torres' strike in the second half of extra time proved to be the winner for La Roja. Torres reacted quickest to a knockdown from Nico Williams to smash the ball high into the net.
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