Ballon d’Or 2026: ‘There’s no outright favourite, give it to Messi’ – Arshavin tells organisers

Former Arsenal subordinate Andrey Arshavin has said that Lionel Messi merits the 2026 Ballon d’Or award. 

The Russian contended that nary wide favourite exists for this prestigious idiosyncratic accolade and maintained that the Argentina skipper should person the honour based connected his performances during the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Arshavin’s presumption diverges from the prevailing sermon established by Lamine Yamal and Kylian Mbappe regarding the 2026 Ballon d’Or competition. 

Barcelona’s Yamal has publically declared that helium deserves the grant implicit Mbappe owed to the trophies helium secured during the erstwhile season.

Mbappe, conversely, has referenced his goal-scoring grounds arsenic justification for wherefore helium should assertion the Ballon d’Or up of Yamal.

The French guardant did not unafraid a trophy during the erstwhile season; however, helium achieved apical scorer presumption successful La Liga, the Champions League, and the FIFA World Cup.

England captain, Harry Kane, is an further formidable contender pursuing his accomplishment of scoring t...