Eto'o Backs Lamine Yamal for 2026 Ballon d'Or Win

Samuel Eto'o, the former Barcelona striker, has publicly endorsed Lamine Yamal for the 2026 Ballon d'Or, expressing his desire to see the 19-year-old lift the trophy. Eto'o described Yamal as a "Genius, bold, talented" player and referred to him as the "Ballon d'Or of our hearts." This endorsement was shared on Instagram, where Eto'o encouraged Yamal to continue inspiring fans.

Deco, Barcelona's sporting director and a close friend of Eto'o, showed support for this endorsement with celebratory emojis. Yamal has had a remarkable season, playing a crucial role in Barcelona's campaign and contributing to Spain's victory at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which is within the eligibility period for the award.

Voting for the Ballon d'Or closed on September 28, with the winner to be announced in London on October 26. Yamal, who finished second in the previous edition, is among the top contenders alongside players like Kylian Mbappé and Harry Kane.