Tebas Backs Rodri for 2026 Ballon d’Or, Calls Him Spain’s Messi
LALIGA president Javier Tebas has backed Barcelona midfielder Rodri to win the 2026 Ballon d’Or, ahead of Kylian Mbappé and other leading contenders. Tebas praised Rodri’s influence in Spain’s 2026 World Cup triumph, where the midfielder won the Golden Ball. He said Rodri performed at an exceptionally high level despite previous injury setbacks and described him as the “Messi of Spanish football.” His comments contrast with José Mourinho’s support for Mbappé, who scored 43 goals for Real Madrid in the 2025/26 season and finished as top scorer in both LALIGA and the Champions League. Ousmane Dembélé, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Lamine Yamal are also in contention.
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