Ballon d’Or 2026: Rodri names six Spanish favourites for prize

Rodri has identified six Spanish players he believes have strong claims to win the 2026 Ballon d’Or, while leaving several widely discussed contenders outside his personal list. The reigning 2024 winner said he would prefer the award to go to a Spaniard after the country’s World Cup success. His six choices are Marc Cucurella, Pau Cubarsí, Rodri, Fabián Ruiz, Lamine and Ferran Torres.

Speaking to Partizado de Cope, Rodri said: “What I would really like is for a Spaniard to win it. We are six.” He added that each of the six had a serious individual case. The midfielder also recognised that only one player could collect the trophy, saying he was relieved not to be involved in the voting process.

Rodri gave a different reason for each player’s inclusion. He said Ruiz had won the most titles, while Cubarsí’s achievements were particularly notable because he is only 19. Ferran was included after scoring the decisive goal, and Rodri pointed to his own selection as the World Cup’s best player. His description of Lamine was brief but emphatic: “Incredible.”

The list notably does not include Kylian Mbappé, Ousmane Dembélé, Harry Kane or Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, all of whom have been discussed as leading candidates for the award. Rodri also referred to the strong public campaigns around Mbappé and Lamine. He said he found it positive that players considered themselves the best in the world, without placing either of them ahead of his six Spanish selections.

Rodri’s comments come with his own credentials already established. He won the Ballon d’Or in 2024 and has now been named among the candidates again after being voted the best player at the World Cup. The 30-year-old Spain international is listed in the database as a defensive midfielder for Manchester City. His current market value is €55 million.

The database also records Rodri’s route to the top level. He moved from Atlético Madrid to Manchester City for €70 million in the 2019-20 season, after joining Atlético from Villarreal for €20 million the previous campaign. Before that, he progressed from Villarreal’s reserve side and youth system. His profile includes recorded groin and hamstring injuries, adding a physical consideration to a season in which he remains in contention for another major individual honour.

Rodri did not stop with his six Spanish choices. He questioned the absence of Barcelona teammate Raphinha from the 30-player Ballon d’Or shortlist. He said the Brazilian had surprised him more than anyone since their arrival at the club, particularly because of his move from a wide role into the number nine position. Rodri recalled asking how a player once known for cutting in from the wing and scoring occasionally had become a central forward.

The comment gives Raphinha a distinct endorsement even though he is not among Rodri’s six preferred winners. It also underlines the breadth of the debate around the shortlist. Rodri’s argument is built around Spain’s World Cup achievement, individual awards, decisive moments and accumulated titles, while his Raphinha assessment focuses on a change in role and the impact it made on him as a teammate.

The winner will be announced in London on 26 October. Rodri has confirmed that he will attend the ceremony regardless of the outcome. He said he was present when he won in 2024 despite believing beforehand that the award would go elsewhere. That decision contrasted with Real Madrid’s absence from the 2024 ceremony after the club believed Vinícius Júnior should have won.

The 2026 race therefore has a clear Spanish thread, with six names supported by the reigning champion and World Cup best player. Rodri’s own candidacy places him alongside teammates whose cases rest on different achievements, from Ruiz’s titles and Ferran’s decisive goal to Cubarsí’s age and Lamine’s performances. The final decision remains with the voters, but Rodri has made his preference clear: he wants the Ballon d’Or to stay with Spain.