Luis Figo, the legendary ex-Real Madrid midfielder, has highlighted four athletes he expects to be key rivals for the 2026 Ballon d’Or trophy. The former Portugal captain signaled out Rodri of Spain, Vitinha of Portugal, and French talents Kylian Mbappe and Desire Doue as the primary figures for the upcoming award.
During a discussion with Betfair, as cited by Madrid Universal, Figo justified his selection by noting Rodri’s significant contributions during the World Cup, despite a lower count of direct goal involvements. He also highlighted Mbappe’s exceptional impact during the tournament as a clear indicator of his status as a top candidate.
Furthermore, Figo expressed high regard for the PSG pair of Vitinha and Doue. Although their national teams struggled during the World Cup, the former star emphasized their impressive club campaigns and success in the Champions League as sufficient grounds for their inclusion among the elite group of contenders.
