Ballon d'Or 2026: 'He makes difference' - Steve McManaman chooses player to win award

Lamine Yamal and Kylian Mbappé are set to compete in the Ballon d'Or ceremony on Monday night, with both aiming to showcase their skills in a highly anticipated match at Barcelona. The two players are currently facing off in a six-point gap in the La Liga standings, with Real Madrid trailing the defending champions by that margin after nine rounds.

The pressure is on Real Madrid to prevent further widening of the gap, currently placing them third behind Atletico Madrid. As the Ballon d'Or voting has concluded, fans are now placing significant importance on this prestigious award, making the match between the two stars a crucial one in the public eye.

Other contenders for the award include former winner Ousmane Dembélé, Harry Kane, and Lionel Messi. Yamal has started the season impressively, contributing to Spain's World Cup victory, scoring 10 goals and providing 10 assists in La Liga and Champions League, along with four goals for Spain. Mbappé, on the other hand, has been relentless in front of the goal, scoring 12 goals in 12 games and maintaining Real Madrid's close race with Barcelona.

The intense rivalry between the two clubs has a long history, with former Real Madrid coach José Mourinho causing particular disdain among Barcelona fans. Mourinho's aggressive tactics and frequent verbal sparring with Barcelona's Pep Guardiola have left a lasting impact on the rivalry. Expect heightened animosity when the two teams face each other in the upcoming match.

Barcelona, coming off a sole loss in their season, will look to capitalize on their strong performances and maintain their dominance in possession. With a streak of 11 consecutive victories, the team has scored 50 goals, the highest in Europe, and Raphinha has been instrumental with 14 goals.

Rodri, who chose Barcelona over Real Madrid, is expected to return to the starting lineup, bolstered by Pedri and Fermín López. Vinícius Júnior, who is currently serving a four-game suspension due to pulling an opponent's hair, will not be available, but newcomer Yan Diomande has filled in effectively and scored in three of Madrid's last four games. Arda Güler will provide crucial playmaking for Madrid, aiming to outmaneuver Barcelona's formidable midfield.