Ballon d’Or 2026: ‘It’s a two-man battle’ – Arsenal’s Riccardo Calafiori gives verdict on award

Arsenal defender, Riccardo Calafiori, has fixed his verdict connected this year’s Ballon d’Or race.

Calafiori insisted that the contention to triumph the Ballon d’Or this twelvemonth is simply a two-man oregon three-man battle.

The Italy planetary spoke to RAI Sport aft his team’s Nations League 3-1 triumph against Turkey connected Monday evening astatine Renato Dall’Ara Stadium successful Bologna.

The victor of the Ballon d’Or volition beryllium announced aboriginal this month, and the likes of Kylian Mbappe, Harry Kane, Lamine Yamal, Rodri, Fabian Ruiz and Michael Olise are among the apical favourites for the award.

“No, I’m not going to get into the merits of these decisions,” Calafiori said astir the 2026 Ballon d’Or.

“It’s a two-man oregon three-man battle, and you cognize who they are, but this twelvemonth I person to accidental it is simply a spot difficult.”

Ballon d’Or 2026: ‘It’s a two-man battle’ – Arsenal’s Riccardo Calafiori gives verdict connected award