KAKA SAYS NEYMAR DESERVED TO WIN BALLON D'OR

Kaka has named Neymar as the player he believes deserved to win the Ballon d'Or without ever claiming it. Speaking to SPORTbible, the former AC Milan and Real Madrid midfielder, who won the award himself in 2007, was asked to pick one footballer who merited the prize but missed out. He chose his fellow Brazilian, saying it was difficult to use the word "deserved" but settling on Neymar as his answer. Kaka did not elaborate further on his reasoning in the comments provided.

The Ballon d'Or, awarded annually to recognise the best footballer over the preceding year, has been dominated by a small group of players since the turn of the century. Lionel Messi holds the record with eight wins, while Cristiano Ronaldo, Ronaldinho, Michael Owen, Luka Modric and Kaka have also lifted the trophy. Between 2008 and 2023, Messi and Ronaldo won the award 13 times between them, with only Modric and Karim Benzema managing to interrupt their run during that period. That period of dominance limited opportunities for other leading players, including Neymar, to win it.

Separately, Rafael Leão has said he backs Barcelona forward Lamine Yamal to win this year's Ballon d'Or, describing the teenager as among the best players in the world following his performances in major trophy wins last season. No further details on the voting process or timing for the 2026 award were included in the available reporting.