Former Arsenal and Chelsea defender William Gallas has tipped Barcelona and Spain star Lamine Yamal as the leading contender to win the 2026 Ballon d’Or, citing the youngster’s outstanding performances during Spain’s victorious FIFA World Cup campaign.
According to a report by Daily Post published on Friday, July 24, 2026, Gallas believes Yamal has emerged as the clear favorite for football’s most prestigious individual award following an exceptional year for both club and country.
The 2026 Ballon d’Or is scheduled to be presented at a ceremony in London on October 26, where the world’s top footballers will compete for the coveted honor.
The award was won in 2025 by Paris Saint-Germain and France forward Ousmane Dembélé. However, Gallas believes the race has shifted significantly this year, with Yamal’s performances placing him ahead of the other contenders.
The former France international based his prediction primarily on Yamal’s contribution to Spain’s triumph at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
According to Gallas, the Barcelona winger played a decisive role throughout the tournament, delivering consistently impressive performances as Spain lifted the trophy. He also noted that Yamal achieved those performances despite reportedly entering the competition while managing an injury.
Gallas argued that success on football’s biggest international stage often carries considerable weight when Ballon d’Or voters evaluate the leading candidates.
He suggested that winning the World Cup, combined with strong individual displays, gives Yamal a significant advantage over the other players in contention for the award.
During his assessment of the Ballon d’Or race, Gallas also dismissed the chances of England captain Harry Kane winning the prize.
Although Kane scored goals during the World Cup, Gallas argued that the striker did not produce the level of overall performances required to strengthen his candidacy for the award.
Speaking to iPredicta, as quoted by Yahoo Sports, Gallas said:
“Harry Kane didn’t have a great, great World Cup. Even if he scored goals, his World Cup was not the best. So, forget about Harry Kane winning the Ballon d’Or.”
After ruling out Kane, Gallas identified Yamal as his preferred candidate to succeed Dembélé as the next Ballon d’Or winner.
“You have to be focused on players like Lamine Yamal, who I think is the number one because he won the World Cup and his performances were good, despite having an injury at the start,” he said.
According to Gallas, Yamal’s influence during Spain’s successful World Cup campaign distinguishes him from the rest of the field. He believes the combination of team success and consistently high-level individual performances makes the Barcelona youngster the standout candidate for the award.
Yamal’s performances throughout the tournament have strengthened his reputation as one of world football’s brightest talents. Despite his young age, he played a key role in Spain’s World Cup-winning campaign, delivering performances that attracted widespread praise from fans, pundits, and former players.
His displays have also reinforced his status as one of Barcelona’s most important players, further enhancing his credentials ahead of the Ballon d’Or ceremony.
The Ballon d’Or is widely regarded as the highest individual honor in football, recognizing the player judged to have delivered the best overall performances during the year.
With the ceremony approaching in October, speculation continues over which player will receive the award, with several high-profile stars expected to feature among the nominees.
However, Gallas believes Yamal has done enough to separate himself from the competition, particularly because of his contributions to Spain’s World Cup success.
The former defender suggested that international achievements, especially winning the FIFA World Cup, often have a significant influence on Ballon d’Or voting, particularly when accompanied by consistently impressive individual performances.
His comments reflect the growing belief among many football observers that Yamal has established himself as one of the favorites for the award following another remarkable season.
If Gallas’ prediction proves accurate, Yamal would add the Ballon d’Or to an already impressive list of achievements early in his career, further cementing his reputation as one of the game’s most accomplished young players.
The award ceremony in London on October 26 is expected to bring together the world’s leading footballers as the winner of the 2026 Ballon d’Or is announced, with Yamal now widely regarded as one of the strongest contenders for the prestigious prize.
