Luís Figo Names Four Candidates Ahead of Messi for Ballon d’Or

Portuguese football legend Luís Figo believes Spanish midfielder Rodri is the leading candidate to win the coveted Ballon d’Or, overlooking both Lionel Messi and Lamine Yamal despite their headline-grabbing performances at the 2026 World Cup. According to the former Real Madrid and Barcelona star, Rodri’s unwavering consistency throughout the campaign and his pivotal role in Spain’s international success place him at the forefront of the race.

In a recent interview, Figo highlighted how Rodri’s tactical discipline and commanding presence on the pitch set him apart from his contemporaries. The former Ballon d’Or recipient described the Manchester City player as one of the most complete footballers in the modern game. Touching upon persistent transfer rumours linking Rodri with a move to Real Madrid, Figo acknowledged that whilst the Spanish giants naturally seek to sign the world’s finest talent, securing the midfielder’s signature will prove exceedingly difficult due to his long-term contract at the Etihad Stadium.

French captain Kylian Mbappé occupies the second spot on Figo’s shortlist. The legendary winger noted that Mbappé’s stellar individual displays during the World Cup firmly cement his status as a frontrunner for football’s highest individual accolade.

Completing Figo’s top four choices are Paris Saint-Germain’s Portuguese midfielder Vitinha and young French talent Désiré Doué. Although neither player achieved ultimate glory on the World Cup stage, their remarkable consistency and influential displays in domestic and European club football earned high praise from the Portuguese icon. Figo reiterated his belief that prestigious individual awards must reflect a player’s sustained output across an entire season rather than isolated international tournaments.

Strikingly, Figo omitted both Lionel Messi, who led Argentina to another World Cup final, and Spain’s teenage sensation Lamine Yamal from his selection. Whilst acknowledging Messi’s inspiring leadership and Yamal’s electric attacking flair, Figo maintained that a comprehensive evaluation of the full season points to Rodri, Mbappé, Vitinha, and Doué as the four most deserving contenders for the prize.