ACHERCHOUR SNUBS MBAPPE, BACKS LAMINE YAMAL TO WIN 2026 BALLON D’OR

October 10, 2026

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By: Muftau Fatimo

French football pundit Walid Acherchour has backed Barcelona winger Lamine Yamal to win the 2026 Ballon d’Or, overlooking France captain Kylian Mbappe.

Acherchour expressed confidence in Yamal’s chances of claiming the prestigious individual award, citing his performances for Barcelona and the Spanish national team.

Speaking as quoted by Actu Foot, the French pundit insisted that Yamal had done enough to emerge as the winner.

“For me, Lamine Yamal, he is going to get it [2026 Ballon d’Or]. For me, there’s no doubt anymore,” Acherchour said.

He also pointed to Yamal’s performances in La Liga and Spain’s World Cup triumph as key factors supporting his prediction.

According to Acherchour, Yamal was the best player in La Liga and helped Barcelona secure the league title, while also winning the World Cup with Spain.

However, the pundit acknowledged that Yamal’s World Cup performances might not have been sufficient to earn him unanimous support for the award, despite Spain’s triumph.

Yamal is expected to face stiff competition for the 2026 Ballon d’Or, with Mbappe and Bayern Munich striker Harry Kane also emerging as potential contenders.