La Liga president Javier Tebas has given his full backing to Barcelona midfielder Rodri to win the 2026 Ballon d'Or. The league chief feels the Spaniard's outstanding displays during the recent World Cup have made him the leading contender for football's most prestigious individual honour.

Tebas makes his Ballon d'Or pick clear

The race for the 2026 Ballon d'Or is emerging as one of the fiercest in recent years, with several of world football's biggest names in the running for the coveted individual prize. Unlike 2024, when the contest was largely between Rodri and Vinicius Jr., or 2025, when Ousmane Dembele stood out as the obvious favourite, this year's battle looks far more open.

Yet La Liga president Tebas has no uncertainty over who should take the award, as he has backed Barcelona midfielder Rodri to collect his second Ballon d'Or. In Tebas' view, Rodri's exceptional World Cup performances outweigh his reduced involvement at club level and make him the rightful winner of this year's prize.

Golden Ball brilliance in North America

Rodri was the unquestioned driving force of the Spain team that surged to glory at the 2026 World Cup. His capacity to control the rhythm of matches and shield La Roja's creative players in midfield earned him the tournament's Golden Ball, underlining his standing as the best player in the world during that month-long event.

Speaking recently, the La Liga chief was emphatic in his admiration. "Even though he was out for long periods due to injury, the World Cup he played in, he performed at an incredibly high level, incredibly high," Tebas said.

He added: "I think Rodri should win the Ballon d'Or again." For Tebas, the storyline is straightforward: the Spaniard has established himself as the "Messi of Spanish football," a view also shared by national team manager Luis de la Fuente.

A crowded list of challengers

Although Rodri has the support of the league's top official, he is up against a strong group of rivals for the award. At the front of that list is his Barcelona team-mate Lamine Yamal. The teenage sensation enjoyed a breakthrough year with the Blaugrana and was also a key figure in Spain's World Cup squad, prompting debate over which of the two had the greater influence.

Outside Spain, Harry Kane has emerged as a serious contender after a prolific goalscoring campaign with Bayern Munich. The England captain finally lifted silverware in Germany by winning both the Bundesliga and the DFB Pokal, although his inability to add the Champions League or the World Cup could work against him in the final vote.

Meanwhile, Kylian Mbappe is still part of the discussion after claiming the Pichichi Trophy, but the absence of major team honours last season has left the Real Madrid forward as a notable outsider compared to the Spanish candidates.

The legacy of a midfield master

If Rodri were to win the 2026 award, it would be his second Ballon d'Or after his 2024 success, when he was honoured for his contribution to Manchester City's Champions League triumph and Spain's European Championship title. His move to Barcelona in 2026 has only raised his profile further, and victory this year would cement his status among the game's all-time greats.

Tebas' backing is a reminder of the midfielder's rare ability to shape matches from a deep position, something that has seldom been rewarded with individual honours in the modern game.