Ballon d’Or Organiser Explains Why Lamine Yamal Finished Third

Ballon d’Or organiser Vincent Garcia said Lamine Yamal lost crucial votes because Spain’s World Cup-winning squad had several standout candidates. Garcia said votes were split mainly between Yamal and Rodri, who was named the tournament’s best player. He added that Spain’s collective success made it difficult for journalists to identify one player as clearly above the rest. Harry Kane eventually won the award ahead of Kylian Mbappé after what Garcia described as a very close race. Kane’s 73 goals for club and country during the 2025/26 season helped him secure his first Ballon d’Or.

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