Sports
The good, the bad and the ugly: Was 2026 World Cup worth it?
The 2026 FIFA World Cup will be remembered as the biggest tournament football has ever staged. It shattered attendance records, expanded the field to 48 teams, generated unprecedented revenue and ended on Sunday with Spain reclaiming the title after Ferran Torres’ extra-time winner against Argentina in the final at MetLife Stadium.
Yet beneath the spectacle, the monthlong tournament exposed difficult questions about FIFA’s priorities, from commercialization and political influence to climate concerns, fan accessibility and player welfare.
Whether the tournament represented football’s future or a warning about its direction remains one of its defining debates.
Costly expansion
For the first time, 48 nations competed for the World Cup, increasing the tournament from 64 to 104 matches across the United States, Mexico and Canada.
The expansion undeniably opened doors. Nations from Africa, Asia and other underrepresented confederations enjoyed more qualification places, allowing countries such as Cabo Verde to make history with memorable knockout-stage runs.
New faces and fresh storylines added diversity to a competition long dominated by traditional powers.
But the expanded format also reignited concerns that had existed since FIFA approved the changes.
More matches meant a longer tournament, heavier workloads and increased travel across 16 host cities spread over three countries.
Critics argued that the additional group-stage games diluted the competition and stretched players close to their physical limits after already demanding club seasons.
UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin was among those who questioned the expansion, describing it as unnecessary and warning that quantity should not come at the expense of quality.
The tournament’s geography only intensified those concerns. Long-haul flights, multiple time zones and cross-border travel created logistical headaches for teams, supporters and organizers while significantly increasing the competition’s carbon footprint.
For example, Türkiye were forced to travel from their base in Arizona to Vancouver for a match against Australia before making the return journey immediately afterward.
Who benefited from the record revenues?
Financially, the tournament was an overwhelming success.
FIFA reportedly generated about $15 billion in revenue through broadcasting rights, sponsorships, hospitality and ticket sales, making it the most lucrative World Cup in history.
Yet much of that success became a source of criticism.
For the first time, FIFA embraced dynamic ticket pricing, allowing prices to rise according to demand. Final tickets reportedly climbed as high as $11,000 across primary and resale markets, effectively pricing many lifelong supporters out of football’s biggest match.
The soaring prices prompted investigations by several U.S. state attorneys general into potential price gouging and drew criticism from players, including U.S. midfielder Timothy Weah.
Despite record overall attendance of roughly 6.8 million spectators, some lower-profile matches featured noticeable empty seats, highlighting the gap between strong headline figures and affordability for ordinary fans.
FIFA defended the pricing strategy as a reflection of market demand and a necessary component of maximizing revenue in North America’s sports marketplace.
For many supporters, however, the tournament increasingly resembled a premium entertainment product rather than the global celebration that has traditionally defined the World Cup.
Overly politicized
Few World Cups have blurred the line between sport and politics as visibly as the 2026 edition.
The most controversial incident centered on U.S. forward Folarin Balogun, whose suspension following a red card against Bosnia and Herzegovina was reportedly overturned after lobbying from President Donald Trump.
The decision drew criticism from UEFA officials and fueled accusations that political pressure had compromised FIFA’s judicial independence.
The debate intensified during the final trophy presentation.
Trump remained on the podium alongside FIFA President Gianni Infantino as Spain captain Rodri lifted the trophy, breaking with longstanding World Cup protocol. The moment drew loud boos from sections of the crowd and sparked widespread criticism that football’s biggest celebration had become politically charged.
Officiating also remained under scrutiny throughout the tournament.
VAR decisions, including the disallowed Spanish goal in the final after a foul was called on Mikel Merino, fueled familiar arguments over consistency, transparency and whether technology has improved football or merely shifted controversy from referees to video review.
Immigration issues challenged football’s global identity
The World Cup prides itself on bringing the world together, but immigration and visa restrictions complicated that vision.
Somali referee Omar Artan, the Confederation of African Football’s 2025 Referee of the Year, was denied entry into the United States despite holding a valid visa, citing security vetting concerns.
Iran also faced significant logistical obstacles, establishing its tournament base in Tijuana, Mexico and traveling into the United States for group-stage matches because of diplomatic and visa complications.
Supporters from countries including Haiti, Senegal, Ivory Coast and Iran also reported visa delays, travel restrictions and rejected applications.
Those incidents raised broader questions about whether football’s premier global event can truly remain inclusive when geopolitical realities limit participation for players, officials and supporters alike.
Commercial spectacle
The World Cup final embraced an unmistakably American flavor.
A Super Bowl-style halftime show featuring international music stars including Shakira, Madonna and BTS transformed football’s biggest match into a major entertainment event.
Supporters praised the production value and global appeal.
Traditionalists argued that extending halftime well beyond football’s customary break represented another example of the sport bending to commercial interests.
Even mandatory cooling breaks during extreme heat became advertising opportunities, with commercial content filling the stoppages.
To critics, the tournament increasingly reflected entertainment business priorities as much as football itself.
Heat and climate concerns
Environmental concerns followed the tournament from kickoff to the final whistle.
The combination of 16 host cities, three countries and thousands of cross-border flights made the tournament one of the most carbon-intensive sporting events ever staged.
Extreme summer temperatures also became a recurring issue.
More than one-quarter of the matches were reportedly played in potentially dangerous heat, forcing mandatory hydration breaks and raising fresh concerns about player safety.
Wildfire smoke drifting from Canada periodically affected air quality, disrupting training sessions and creating additional health concerns ahead of the final.
Although FIFA promoted sustainability initiatives throughout the tournament, critics argued that the scale of the competition fundamentally conflicted with global climate goals.
Did host cities truly benefit?
Supporters pointed to billions in projected economic activity, increased tourism and job creation across North America.
Hotels, restaurants, transportation providers and local businesses experienced significant boosts during the tournament.
But the financial picture was more complicated.
Host cities also absorbed enormous security, infrastructure and operational costs, prompting questions about whether taxpayers ultimately received sufficient long-term value.
Critics argued that FIFA captured a disproportionate share of the tournament’s profits while local governments assumed much of the financial risk.
The debate echoed questions raised after previous mega sporting events: Who really wins when the final whistle blows?
The deduction?
There is little doubt that the 2026 World Cup succeeded as a sporting spectacle.
Spain’s triumph, underdog breakthroughs, record crowds and unprecedented global attention ensured its place among the most memorable tournaments in football history.
Yet it also became a defining test of where the sport is headed.
The expanded format widened access but increased physical and environmental demands. Record revenues came alongside soaring ticket prices. Entertainment reached new heights while commercial interests became more visible than ever. Politics, immigration policies and climate challenges repeatedly intersected with the game itself.
Perhaps that is the tournament’s true legacy.
The 2026 Ballon d’Or race is shaping up as one of the most difficult to call in years, with no single candidate clearly separating himself from the field.
Kylian Mbappe has the scoring numbers and individual accolades. Harry Kane has combined elite production with domestic and European success.
Lamine Yamal has been central to Barcelona and Spain’s biggest achievements. Khvicha Kvaratskhelia produced a standout Champions League campaign, while Michael Olise quietly assembled one of the most complete seasons of the group.
The debate has become even more complicated because this is a World Cup year, giving international performances an added weight in the discussion.
Mbappe’s scoring case
Mbappe’s argument is built largely around individual production.
The Real Madrid forward finished as the Champions League’s top scorer, won the La Liga Pichichi and claimed the World Cup Golden Boot. Those achievements give him a compelling statistical case, and former France striker Thierry Henry has also backed him for the award.
Mbappe himself has made no secret of his belief that he has done enough to win the Ballon d’Or.
The counterargument is that leading the scoring charts is not necessarily the same as being the best player. The Ballon d’Or recognizes individual excellence, but goals are already recognized through separate Golden Boot awards.
Mbappe also finished the season without a major team trophy, a significant weakness in his candidacy. Critics have questioned his defensive contribution and overall influence on Real Madrid, arguing that his impressive statistics did not consistently translate into team success.
That distinction will be central to the debate. If scoring numbers are the primary criterion, Mbappe has a formidable case. If overall influence and winning achievements carry greater weight, his argument becomes more complicated.
Kane’s all-around case
Harry Kane offers perhaps the clearest alternative to the Mbappe argument.
The Bayern Munich striker scored more than 70 goals across competitions while also contributing heavily as a creator. He was a regular throughout the season and played a major role in Bayern’s domestic success.
Kane also produced in important Champions League matches, scoring against Real Madrid and contributing a goal and an assist in the return leg. He then scored and assisted against Paris Saint-Germain in the semifinals.
His international campaign further strengthens his case. Kane played an important role for England at the World Cup, including a two-goal performance against the Democratic Republic of Congo, and he continued to provide goals and leadership throughout the tournament.
The main argument against Kane is that he was not universally regarded as the best player in either of his major environments. Michael Olise was named Bundesliga Player of the Season, while Jude Bellingham had a particularly strong tournament for England.
Still, Kane’s supporters can point to the combination of production, creativity, consistency, big-game performances and team success.
Yamal’s influence beyond the numbers
Lamine Yamal presents a different type of Ballon d’Or case.
The Barcelona winger was named La Liga Player of the Season and played a central role in Spain’s World Cup triumph. Yet his international campaign did not produce the kind of defining moments that have become synonymous with his performances.
That has weakened his case in the eyes of some voters.
Yamal did not dominate the World Cup statistically, but his influence extended beyond goals and assists. His dribbling, creativity and ability to attract defenders made him an important part of Spain’s attacking structure.
He was among the tournament’s leading dribblers and remained influential even when he was not producing directly on the scoresheet.
The problem is that Ballon d’Or debates are often shaped by memorable moments. Yamal had produced those moments previously, including during Spain’s European Championship run, but his World Cup lacked a comparable signature performance.
That does not erase his contribution to Spain’s title, but it explains why his candidacy remains contested despite an exceptional club season and a World Cup triumph.
Kvaratskhelia’s UCL argument
Kvaratskhelia’s case is heavily tied to his Champions League performance.
The Paris Saint-Germain winger was named Champions League Player of the Season after playing a major role in the competition, particularly during the knockout stages.
His overall numbers were also impressive, with 19 goals and 11 assists across all competitions.
But his domestic campaign presents a significant weakness. He scored only eight goals in Ligue 1 and was not as influential domestically as the leading candidates competing for the Ballon d’Or.
His situation is further complicated by Georgia’s absence from the World Cup. That is not something Kvaratskhelia could control, but the lack of an international tournament campaign removes an important opportunity to strengthen his case in a World Cup year.
His Champions League campaign was outstanding, but whether that is enough to outweigh his relatively modest domestic contribution and absence from the World Cup is central to his candidacy.
Olise’s overlooked campaign
Michael Olise may have received less attention than the other leading candidates despite putting together an exceptional season.
The Bayern Munich winger recorded 22 goals and 28 assists across all competitions and was named Bundesliga Player of the Season.
He was also influential in the Champions League and produced important performances against elite opposition. His creativity and ability to create opportunities made him one of Bayern’s most important attacking players.
Olise’s World Cup campaign was less consistent, but he still made a significant contribution for France and set a record for the most assists in a single World Cup campaign.
His case is therefore built around balance. He combined goals, assists, chance creation, off-ball work and team success rather than relying primarily on one statistical category.
That makes the gap between Olise and the more heavily discussed candidates particularly interesting. His numbers compare favorably with Mbappe’s in several areas, while his influence at Bayern came within a team that achieved major domestic success.
An unusually open race
The defining feature of the 2026 Ballon d’Or debate is the absence of a universally dominant candidate.
Mbappe has the goals and individual scoring awards. Kane has extraordinary production alongside team success. Yamal has been influential for both Barcelona and Spain. Kvaratskhelia has a compelling Champions League resume, while Olise has combined elite creativity with domestic dominance.
Each candidate also has an obvious weakness.
That is what makes this race different from the years dominated by Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. There is no straightforward statistical argument that settles the discussion, and there is no player whose season was flawless across every competition.
The Ballon d’Or will ultimately require voters to weigh individual production, team success, performances in major competitions and overall influence differently.
The debate is unlikely to end before the votes are counted, because each of the leading candidates has a legitimate body of work to put forward.
And that may be exactly what makes this year’s Ballon d’Or race so compelling.
Mohamed Salah has a new coach at Trabzonspor after the Turkish Süper Lig club on Thursday hired Thomas Reis, who cited the lure of working with the former Liverpool star.
Trabzonspor said the German coach signed a two-year contract to leave Bulgarian club Ludogorets. He replaces Fatih Tekke, who resigned early this month after the team suffered two losses and were eliminated from the Europa League.
Salah is the marquee signing at Trabzonspor this season following a stellar nine-year spell at Liverpool, working mostly with German coach Jurgen Klopp. The Egyptian star has scored four goals in five league games so far.
“Working with a player of his caliber is perhaps one of the best things that can happen to a coach,” Reis said in a club statement, adding he would give Salah “freedom in attack.”
Reis previously coached in the Turkish league, taking unheralded Samsunspor to a third-place finish two seasons ago behind Istanbul powerhouses Galatasaray and Fenerbahçe.
“I know this place and I know how intense the games are here,” the coach said.
Ludogorets said in a statement that they were surprised by the offer to take Reis, who expressed a wish to work at Trabzonspor with talents like Salah, Fabinho and goalkeeper Andre Onana.
The Black Sea club will pay Ludogorets 900,000 euros ($1.06 million) in compensation for terminating the 52-year-old coach’s contract.
Reis will receive a guaranteed salary of 1 million euros for the 2026-27 season and 1.2 million euros for the 2027-28 campaign, the club said.
Trabzonspor, which won the last of their seven Turkish league titles in 2022, are ninth in the standings after five rounds.
Trabzonspor lost 1-0 to Konyaspor last week and will face Galatasaray this Saturday.
The team start a six-game program in the Conference League in Finland at KuPS Kuopio on Oct. 15.
Beşiktaş turned a tense opening half into a commanding European night Thursday, scoring three times after the break to dismantle French side Olympique Marseille 4-1 at Tüpraş Stadium and open their UEFA Europa League campaign with three points.
Ilhan Fakılı fired the Black Eagles ahead in the 15th minute after Junior Olaitan sent him through on goal, but Keyliane Abdallah struck back for Marseille on the half-hour mark to send the teams into the break level at 1-1.
Backed by a vocal home crowd, Beşiktaş seized control after the restart.
Vaclav Cerny restored the lead with a stylish finish in the 56th minute before Amir Murillo struck just three minutes later, heading home from a corner against his former club to make it 3-1.
Ernest Poku completed the rout in the 81st minute, scoring his first goal for Beşiktaş after coming off the bench 10 minutes earlier.
Fakılı nearly added another when his 68th-minute effort struck the post. The young winger, filling in for the absent Leandro Trossard, has now scored three times this season and registered his first goal in European competition.
Cerny’s goal was his fourth of the campaign as the Czech international continued his strong start under coach Vincenzo Italiano.
Italiano also made a precautionary change at halftime, replacing Emmanuel Agbadou with Tiago Djalo after the defender had been booked in the 10th minute.
The victory extended Beşiktaş’s perfect home record this season to seven matches across the Süper Lig and Europa League. The Black Eagles have scored 19 goals and conceded just three at Dolmabahçe during that run.
Beşiktaş have also won four consecutive matches across all competitions, beating Çorum FK, Fenerbahçe and Erzurumspor FK before Thursday’s European victory.
The result marked Beşiktaş’s second win over Marseille in three meetings. Their previous encounters came in the 2007-08 Champions League group stage, when Marseille won 2-0 in France before Beşiktaş responded with a 2-1 victory in Istanbul.
The Black Eagles also improved their overall record against French opposition to six wins, two draws and four defeats in 12 European matches.
For Marseille coach Bruno Genesio, it was another difficult trip to Istanbul against Beşiktaş. He previously lost 2-1 at Dolmabahçe while coaching Olympique Lyon in the 2016-17 Europa League.
Marseille’s defeat extended their losing streak to four matches across all competitions after setbacks against Monaco, Paris FC and Rennes.
Beşiktaş will next travel to Germany to face Hoffenheim on Oct. 15 in their second Europa League match.
AC Milan suffered their first defeat under Ruben Amorim, losing 2-0 at home to Benfica as the Europa League began Wednesday, while Sunderland won on their return to European competition after a 53-year absence.
Seven-time European champions Milan had won two and drawn two of their opening four Serie A games, but were given a reality check by Benfica on the opening day of the Europa League league phase.
Milan were profligate in front of goal and were made to pay by the visitors, who maintained their unbeaten start to the season.
“I change all the time, we need to start with a base, we have two months of work,” Amorim, who said before the game that he does not “know if I’ll have the time needed,” told Sky Sport Italia when asked if he would change tactics.
“We lost tonight, but we will find the solutions to adapt to these games, because we need to create an idea, but we also need to win, so of course we can adapt,” he added.
Benfica, who lost to Milan in the 1963 and 1990 European Cup finals, were able to enjoy their first-ever win over the Italian giants.
Marco Silva’s side grabbed a 16th-minute lead through a superb individual goal from Dodi Lukebakio, as the Belgian cut inside from the right and unleashed a left-footed drive into the far bottom corner.
The Portuguese powerhouse extended their advantage eight minutes after the interval when Jakub Kaminski slammed in Souffian el Karouani’s left-wing cross.
Sunderland back with bang
Regis Le Bris’s Sunderland clinched a 1-0 victory over AZ Alkmaar at a raucous Stadium of Light in their first European match since the Cup Winners’ Cup second round in 1973.
Sunderland were the stronger team in the first half but failed to take their chances, with Enzo Le Fee going closest when he struck the post.
The Black Cats were awarded a penalty 20 minutes after the restart for Weslley Patati’s foul on Le Fee.
The Frenchman, who had a penalty saved by David Raya in Saturday’s Premier League loss to Arsenal, stepped up to slot the spot-kick into the corner.
Sunderland were indebted to goalkeeper Robin Roefs when he made an excellent save to deny AZ attacker Valdemar Byskov an equalizer in the 81st minute.
“Now that we are here I’m just trying to enjoy every moment,” said Sunderland defender Trai Hume.
“We have a great team, great staff and unbelievable fans. We fully deserve this moment and we are going to keep pushing this season.”
Lyon put some of the disappointment of their dramatic Champions League play-off loss to Fenerbahçe behind them with a 2-1 victory at Anderlecht.
The visitors quickly took control in Brussels as Noah Nartey put them in front after less than eight minutes.
Keito Nakamura’s deflected strike doubled the lead midway through the first half and gave the Japan winger his first Lyon goal since signing from Reims.
Anderlecht pulled one back through teenage striker Mihajlo Cvetkovic’s header after halftime, but Lyon held on under severe pressure.
Bayer Leverkusen saw off spirited Slovenian champions Celje 2-0 in Germany.
Leverkusen forged ahead when Celje midfielder Svit Seslar put through his own net in the 15th minute and Argentina international Facundo Medina made the points safe with 16 minutes remaining.
Elsewhere, Olympiacos came from behind to beat Poland’s Jagiellonia 2-1, while Sparta Prague brushed aside Ararat 4-1 in Armenia and Cypriots Omonia edged out Celta Vigo.
Istanbul will host the 2027 Spanish Super Cup from Feb. 2 to Feb. 6, bringing Spain’s premier four-team tournament to Türkiye for the first time following a five-year run in Saudi Arabia, the Turkish Football Federation (TFF) announced Thursday.
The introductory meeting for the high-profile tournament was held at the TFF Hasan Doğan National Teams Camp and Training Facilities. The press conference featured prominent political and sports dignitaries, including Youth and Sports Minister Osman Aşkın Bak, Culture and Tourism Minister Mehmet Nuri Ersoy, TFF President Ibrahim Hacıosmanoğlu, Istanbul Gov. Davut Gül, Saudi Arabian Sports Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al-Faisal, Saudi Royal Court Advisor and General Entertainment Authority Chairman Turki Al-Sheikh, Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) President Rafael Louzan, and World Ethnosport Union President Necmeddin Bilal Erdoğan.
The four-team marquee competition will feature global powerhouses Real Madrid, Barcelona, Atletico Madrid, and Real Sociedad. The tournament will unfold across three of Istanbul’s primary football venues.
The first semifinal between Real Madrid and Real Sociedad will take place on Feb. 2 at Fenerbahçe’s Şükrü Saracoğlu Sports Complex, while the second, featuring Barcelona and Atletico Madrid will follow on Feb. 3 at Beşiktaş’s home ground.
The final match will be held on Feb. 6 at Galatasaray’s Ali Sami Yen Sports Complex.
Speaking at the launch event, TFF boss Hacıosmanoğlu emphasized Istanbul’s growing stature as a global capital for international sporting events, citing the city’s successful track record in staging major UEFA fixtures.
“We have successfully completed many major organizations, especially the UEFA Champions League and UEFA Europa League finals,” Hacıosmanoğlu said. “Most recently in May, we hosted football fans from all over the world in Istanbul as part of the UEFA Europa League final. Now, we will put all our experience forward for the 2027 Spanish Super Cup. The Spanish Super Cup, which has been held in Saudi Arabia for five years, will take place in Istanbul between Feb. 2 and Feb. 6,” he said.
He noted that the tournament will be broadcast live in more than 150 countries, offering significant global exposure for Türkiye and its sporting infrastructure. Domestically, the matches will be broadcast on HT Spor.
“The Spanish Super Cup will reach millions of football fans by being broadcast live in more than 150 countries worldwide,” Hacıosmanoğlu added. “In this respect, the organization will make a significant contribution to Türkiye’s international visibility and brand value. Football fans coming to Istanbul will not only witness the struggle of world stars, but also have the opportunity to closely experience our country’s thousands of years of history, unique culture, and strong passion for sports.”
Expressing his appreciation to political leadership and international partners, Hacıosmanoğlu extended gratitude to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz, Saudi officials, and RFEF leadership for facilitating the agreement. He also thanked host clubs Fenerbahçe, Beşiktaş and Galatasaray for providing their stadiums and training facilities.
Saudi Arabia holds the hosting rights to the expanded Super Cup format under a multi-year agreement with the RFEF.
Turkish sports authorities underscored that full administrative capabilities will be mobilized to ensure seamless hospitality for visiting teams, officials, and international supporters.
With Ballon d’Or voting set to close in less than two weeks, top contenders are mounting unusually public campaigns for football’s biggest individual prize.
This self-promotion is a relatively recent development in a team sport where, until a few years ago, the top individual prize went largely unnoticed until it was time to present it.
But now, the Ballon d’Or dominates the football conversation during the months when the new European season is still finding its feet.
The trophy will be presented on Oct. 26, while the final sprint began on Sept. 8 when France Football, the award organizer, released the list of 30 candidates to succeed Ousmane Dembele.
The ceremony will be in London, even though only five of the 30 nominees play in the English Premier League.
The award carries no cash prize, but it has become worth increased income and status to players and their teams.
Many stars have related bonuses in their boot contracts while the award also increases their overall marketing value and that of their club.
The two all-time leading Ballon d’Or winners, Lionel Messi, who has picked up the trophy eight times, and Cristiano Ronaldo, who won five times, both have annual sponsorship income estimated by Forbes at more than $65 million.
Clubs can expect to sell more merchandise if one of their players wins.
Some 100 invited journalists – one representative from each of the top 100 countries in the FIFA rankings – will cast votes.
With no clear favorite, the stars and their PR agencies are stepping up their campaigns. Achievements are shamelessly paraded to scrape together votes.
‘I deserve it’
“For me, Mbappe and I, we’re the two best players in the world,” Lamine Yamal, who has won the World Cup and La Liga in 2026, said in an interview on Movistar Plus.
“I honestly think that, as the best in the world, maybe there are two of us, and this year I deserve it because of what I’ve won,” the 19-year-old added.
He was responding to the Frenchman, who days earlier had emphasized the award’s individual nature – after a year in which he won no trophies with either Real Madrid or France, who lost a World Cup semifinal to Spain, but scored 10 World Cup goals to take his tally to an all-time leading 22.
“Being the all-time top scorer in World Cup history, overtaking all the great legends in the history of the sport in the most important tournament there is, is something that really stands out, a global event. Who am I voting for? Myself,” said the striker, who was also the top scorer in last season’s Liga and Champions League.
His manager, Jose Mourinho, did not hesitate to back up the argument: “We know who has made history this summer and he’s not from PSG or the Spanish national team.”
In 2024, Real Madrid boycotted the ceremony after learning just before they were due to travel that none of their seven nominees had won.
This year, Paris Saint-Germain have a record 10 nominees, after retaining the Champions League.
That number, and also the side’s reputation for collective team spirit, may count against them.
Their leading candidates are Dembele, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Fabian Ruiz, the only player on the list to have won both the Champions League and the World Cup this year.
‘Why not dream?’
“Why not dream?”, the unassuming Spanish midfielder told French television.
PSG are refusing to pick one individual while arguing that the winner has to be one of their players.
“Kvara and Doue are incredible players. For me Kvara could win the Ballon d’Or, as could Dembele and others,” said coach Luis Enrique.
Dembele told France Football that he would not try to influence the poll.
“May the best player win; in any case, it’s not us who are voting,” he said. “I never sell myself. It’s up to them to decide.”
Meanwhile, England captain Harry Kane, who scored 73 goals while leading Bayern Munich to a German domestic double and his country to third in the World Cup, remains quiet.
Bayern are speaking up for their leader, putting together a video in which team-mates said that Kane should win.
“He deserves to win it, 100 per cent, without a doubt,” said Colombian Luis Diaz, who is also on the shortlist.
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