Lamine Yamal named Jorge Mendes' Ballon d'Or pick

Lamine Yamal has been identified by Jorge Mendes as the best candidate for the 2026 Ballon d’Or. Mendes’ assessment puts Yamal at the centre of his view of the next award, giving the player a high-profile endorsement ahead of the prize’s 2026 decision.

The statement is presented as Mendes’ personal choice rather than a confirmed award result. It does not provide a voting total, final ranking or details of the wider shortlist. Its immediate significance is the backing from Mendes, whose view marks Yamal as his preferred player for the honour.

The player record supplied with the event does not contain a profile for Lamine Yamal. It instead identifies Lamine Sy, a 24-year-old right-back with French and Senegalese citizenship who plays for AJ Auxerre. Sy’s listed market value is €2.5 million. His recorded transfer history includes a move from SM Caen to AJ Auxerre in the 2025/26 season, earlier switches between FC Rouen 1899 and SM Caen during 2023/24, and promotion from SM Caen B to the senior side in 2022/23. The record also lists two cruciate ligament tears. Those details concern Sy and do not establish Yamal’s club, position, form or Ballon d’Or credentials.