The head coach of Benin Republic, Gernot Rohr has tipped either Barcelona winger, Lamine Yamal or Bayern Munich's Michael Olise to win the 2026 Ballon d'Or on Monday.
Rohr hailed the two players as the best in the world, while ignoring Olise's teammate Harry Kane, believed to be the bookmakers' favourite.
“For the best player in the world, it’s difficult to say. I think these four players, everybody can win it,” he said.
“Personally, it could be fine for Michael Olise to win it, but also Yamal, and one of the two, I think, should win it.”
Rohr also admitted that Real Madrid’s Kylian Mbappé would have been a contender, but he failed to lift any silverware last season.
“He would deserve it also, because a few times he was there, but it didn’t work out for him to be the winner,” Rohr said.
2026 Ballon d'Or: Rohr snubs Mbappé, Kane, names top two favourites