# Lamine Yamal, Mbappé’s Ballon d’Or Rivals

> Lamine Yamal and Kylian Mbappé vie for Ballon d’Or as Spain’s Rodri stays overlooked.
- Title: Lamine Yamal, Mbappé’s Ballon d’Or Rivals · SI | Shortify
- Summary: Lamine Yamal and Kylian Mbappé vie for Ballon d’Or as Spain’s Rodri stays overlooked. Lamine Yamal and Kylian Mbappé are top Ballon d’Or contenders after…
- Keywords: lamine yamal, kylian mbappe, ballon dor, rodri, world cup, champions league, messi, dembele, harry kane, real madrid, paris saint germain, seahawks
- Source: SI — https://si.com/soccer/lamine-yamal-kylian-mbappe-three-main-rivals-teased-ballon-dor
- Published: 2026-09-16T13:30:00+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: lamine yamal, kylian mbappe, ballon dor, rodri, world cup, champions league, messi, dembele, harry kane, real madrid, paris saint germain, seahawks
## No Clear Ballon d’Or Favorite
For the first time in years, no clear favorite for the Ballon d’Or.
## Yamal Names Mbappé and Himself
Yamal says Mbappé and he are the best in the world.

> For me, [Kylian] Mbappé and I are the best in the world. It is clear to me. Everyone who watches the matches knows it.
## L’Équipe Teases Five Contenders
L’Équipe highlights Mbappé, Yamal, Messi, Dembélé and Kane.

> It’s their project.
## Five Names Lift Major Awards
They have won every major silverware and scored over 200 goals.
## No One Won Individual Accolade
None claimed the individual award closest to the Ballon d’Or in a World Cup year.
## Rodri Overlooked for Ballon d’Or
Spain’s Rodri won World Cup Golden Ball but no one pushes his case.

> Ballon d’Or? The club has chosen to back Lamine. They say he’s the player most deserving of the award, and that’s completely legitimate.
## Rodri’s Nonchalance
Rodri says he understands football differently and doesn’t get frustrated.

> Maybe people would like me to be more marketable and they sometimes say, ‘Mate, you should ...’ but I understand football differently.
## Rodri’s 2024 Campaign
Rodri pipped Vinícius Júnior to the Ballon d’Or in 2024.
## Rodri’s Current Stance
Rodri hopes a Spanish player wins the Ballon d’Or.

> I hope that a Spanish player wins.
## Key takeaway

Lamine Yamal and Kylian Mbappé are top Ballon d’Or contenders after Spain’s Rodri was overlooked despite winning World Cup Golden Ball.