Ballon d’Or 2026: Ruud Gullit names player who can’t win award

0:00 0:00

Former Chelsea star, Ruud Gullit, believes Barcelona winger Lamine Yamal cannot win the Ballon d’Or this year because he was not able to lead the Blaugrana to the Champions League final this season.

In an interview with Goal, the Dutch legend suggested that Paris Saint-Germain’s Ousmane Dembele and Vitinha are stronger candidates, simply because they will feature in the Champions League final.

“Yamal cannot win that [Ballon d’Or] this time anyway,” Gullit said.

“He has not been in the Champions League final. He needs to excel at the World Cup to be in contention for the Ballon d’Or.

“So who else is in the Champions League final who comes close this year? [Ousmane] Dembele. He has already won it.

“For me, one of the best is Vitinha. He is the engine of PSG’s midfield and could be a fantastic player as well at the World Cup.”