La Liga president Javier Tebas supports Rodri for 2026 Ballon d'Or

La Liga president Javier Tebas has publicly backed Rodri as the primary candidate to win the 2026 Ballon d'Or. Tebas cited the midfielder's high-level performance during the 2026 World Cup, where Rodri received the Golden Ball, as the justification for his selection despite an injury-plagued club season. The competition for the award remains open, with Barcelona's Lamine Yamal emerging as a primary challenger following a productive campaign. Other contenders include Harry Kane, who secured both the Bundesliga and DFB Pokal with Bayern Munich, and Kylian Mbappe, the recipient of last season's Pichichi trophy. While Rodri faces competition from various high-performing players, Tebas maintains that the midfielder's international achievements warrant a second career Ballon d'Or trophy.

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