Aitana Bonmati, the Barcelona midfielder and 2023 women’s Ballon d’Or recipient, has identified three men she believes are worthy of the upcoming trophy. In a discussion with Mundo Deportivo, the 28-year-old athlete highlighted the merits of Lionel Messi, Rodri, and Pau Cubarsi.
Regarding Messi, Bonmati noted that the Argentine captain’s performance at the World Cup at age 39 warrants consideration. She also voiced strong support for Rodri and Cubarsi, referencing Fabio Cannavaro’s historical victory as a defender to justify why a centre-back like Cubarsi deserves recognition following a strong showing on the global stage.
The recipient of the 2026 honor is scheduled to be revealed this October. The pool of expected contenders remains broad, featuring notable talents such as Kylian Mbappe, Harry Kane, Ousmane Dembele, Lamine Yamal, and Michael Olise.
