Barcelona sporting director Deco says there should be “no discussion” around the winner of the 2026 Ballon d’Or and also outlined his anger at the omission of two Blaugrana favourites among the 30 contenders.
The shortlist was revealed on Tuesday with Barca winger Lamine Yamal one of the favourites after a brilliant season that, although derailed towards the end by injury, saw him play a pivotal role as the Catalan giants retained La Liga.
The 19-year-old then helped Spain win the World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico.
Deco believes those achievements place him above the likes of Harry Kane, Kylian Mbappe and Lionel Messi.
He told RAC 1: “Lamine should be the favourite for the Ballon d’Or. For me, no discussion. Remember everything he’s done with Barça and the national team. He’s had some decisive moments, even going to the World Cup with an injury. Last season was key.
“It’s like when [former Barcelona winger] Leo [Messi] won and Leo was the best.”
Deco angry at omission of Pedri and Raphinha
Deco could not hide his irritation when asked about the non-inclusion of two more Barca players – Pedri and Raphinha – describing it as a “world scandal”.
He added: ”I don’t understand the lists and how they are made, but there are injustices in the awards.
”That Pedri is not in for his talent, like Raphinha, is difficult to see.”
Barca did have a couple of other players on the shortlist – Pau Cubarsí and new signing Rodri – and president Joan Laporta expressed his delight on Wednesday at recognition of the club’s achievements.
“Barça is a unique club and proof of this is in these nominations. We are very proud,” Laporta said. “The players we have must be grateful to Barcelona Football Club for what it gives them. I will be immensely happy if a Barça player wins.”
On Yamal, he added: “He’s spectacular. He has an exceptional quality, he is a genius and I think his nomination for the Ballon d’Or is more than deserved. He has a maturity for his age, [that’s] fantastic. I feel bad when you talk about the nominations that neither Pedri nor Raphinha are nominated. I think they have also made a case; for their quality they deserved to be nominated.”
The full list of nominees for the men’s 2026 Ballon d’Or award
Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid)
Pau Cubarsi (Barcelona)
Marc Cucurella (Real Madrid)
Ousmane Dembele (PSG)
Luis Diaz (Bayern Munich)
Bruno Fernandes (Manchester United)
Erling Haaland (Manchester City)
Gabriel (Arsenal)
Harry Kane (Bayern Munich)
Achraf Hakimi (PSG)
Lamine Yamal (Barcelona)
Khvicha Kvaratskhelia (PSG)
Marquinhos (PSG)
Sadio Mane (Al-Nassr)
Lautaro Martinez (Inter Milan)
Kylian Mbappe (Real Madrid)
Nuno Mendes (PSG)
Lionel Messi (Inter Miami)
Michael Olise (Bayern Munich)
Joao Neves (PSG)
Willian Pacho (PSG)
Julian Quinones (Al-Qadsiah)
Declan Rice (Arsenal)
Rodri (Barcelona)
Fabian Ruiz (PSG)
Ferran Torres (PSG)
William Saliba (Arsenal)
Dayor Upamecano (Bayern Munich)
Vinicius Jr (Real Madrid)
Vitinha (PSG)
How does the voting for the Ballon d’Or work?
The 30-player shortlist for the main awards is voted for by a panel of journalists from France Football and L’Equipe.
One journalist from each of the top 100 countries in the FIFA rankings then votes for their top 10 from each list with each position afforded a certain number of points.
- First Place: 15 points
- Second Place: 12 points
- Third place: 10 points
- Fourth place: 8 points
- Fifth place: 7 points
- Sixth place: 5 points
- Seventh place: 4 points
- Eighth place: 3 points
- Ninth place: 2 points
- Tenth place: 1 point
Which players have won the men’s award previously?
2025: Ousmane Dembele
2024: Rodri
2023: Lionel Messi
2022: Karim Benzema
2021: Lionel Messi
2019: Lionel Messi
When will the award be handed out?
The ceremony will take place on Monday, October 26 in London.
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