Spain’s World Cup victory has set the stage for a wide-open Ballon d’Or race, with Kylian Mbappé emerging as a potential beneficiary despite a trophy-less season at club level.
Ferran Torres scored the winner in the July 19 final after Argentina’s Enzo Fernández was sent off, sealing a 1-0 win for Spain in New Jersey. Rodri was named Golden Ball winner for his midfield dominance throughout the tournament, while 18-year-old Lamine Yamal impressed on the wing.
According to French outlet L’Équipe, Spain’s collective success could now work against its own players in Ballon d’Or voting. The report suggests votes may be split between Rodri, Yamal, Dani Olmo and Fabián Ruiz, all key figures in Luis de la Fuente’s side.
That fragmentation could open the door for Real Madrid forward Kylian Mbappé. The French star scored 42 goals in 44 games last season despite Madrid ending the campaign without a trophy.
Provisional rankings have placed Mbappé high, but the race remains far from decided. Rodri’s World Cup masterclass, Yamal’s breakout tournament, and even Lionel Messi’s runner-up finish with Argentina mean voters will have to weigh individual brilliance against team achievement.
Football outlet The Touchline noted the dilemma on X: “Spain’s collective success could split the Ballon d’Or votes between Rodri, Lamine Yamal, Fabián Ruiz, and Dani Olmo. That could end up working in Kylian Mbappé’s favor, despite him finishing the season without a single trophy for either club or country.”
With months still to go before voting, the 2026 Ballon d’Or battle is already shaping up as a contest between Spain’s world champions and Europe’s standout individual performers.
Source: Lequipe