Ballon d'Or 2026: Swiss juror propels Cubarsi onto podium, ahead of Upamecano

Harry Kane won the 2026 Ballon d’Or, ahead of Kylian Mbappé and Lamine Yamal, but the gradual publication of ballots from the 100 jurors reveals choices that are to say the least surprising before France Football publishes all votes online on Friday.

The most discussed case remains that of Daniel Visentini, sports editor at Tribune de Genève. The Swiss journalist placed Lamine Yamal first, Harry Kane second, then Pau Cubarsi in third place in his top 10. The FC Barcelona and Spain defender, world champions in 2026, certainly shone during the North American competition, but the Ballon d’Or is supposed to reward the best individual season across all competitions. Cubarsi ultimately finished 12th in the overall standings.

This choice is all the more striking because Dayot Upamecano, who had a remarkable 2025-2026 season with Bayern Munich and France during the World Cup, only received 26th place. The French defender is thus relegated far behind his Barcelona counterpart in the final standings, despite a season judged objectively superior by many observers.

The other vote that drew attention is that of Croatian journalist Zdravko Reic, a juror since 1992. He composed a podium of Rodri/Haaland/Messi, omitting winner Kane and not mentioning Lamine Yamal in his top ten. Rodri and Messi, very prominent during the 2026 World Cup, also appear regularly in the ballots revealed, as do PSG stars Ousmane Dembélé and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, winners of the Ligue des Champions.