{
  "id": 2322460,
  "title": "Real Madrid legend backs PSG star for Ballon d’Or ahead of Mbappe: ‘Number 1 without hesitation’",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/21/real-madrid-legend-backs-psg-star-for-ballon-dor-ahead-of-mbappe",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-08-21T06:25:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Yahoo Sports",
    "slug": "yahoo-sports",
    "url": "https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/real-madrid-legend-backs-psg-062500992.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Toni Kroos, a Real Madrid legend, has expressed his support for PSG star Khvicha Kvaratskhelia for the upcoming Ballon d’Or award. Speaking to the media, the German international made it clear that Kvaratskhelia is his top choice, stating that \"the Ballon d’Or should go to Khvicha Kvaratskhelia\" and emphasizing that he \"believes he is the number 1 without hesitation.\" While Kvaratskhelia failed to participate in the FIFA World Cup, Kroos acknowledged his outstanding performance, praising him as \"the best player from the best club in the world.\"\n\nThe Ballon d’Or scenario is particularly intriguing this year, as some teams with standout individuals, such as Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappe, Jude Bellingham, and Vinicius Jr., failed to win any titles. The competition becomes more open as a result, with Rodri and Lamine Yamal also standing out in their respective teams. However, Kroos believes Kvaratskhelia's club season was the most impressive among the contenders, despite the Georgian star missing out on the FIFA World Cup.",
  "summary": "In a FIFA World Cup year, the Ballon d’Or is often decided by the result of the global event and performances at the same time.The situation this time around, however, is queer.Spain, who won the Wo...",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Yahoo Sports",
        "title": "Bayern Munich News: FC Barcelona still wants FC Bayern star Harry Kane; Real Madrid scoping Arsenal star; and MORE!",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/21/bayern-munich-news-fc-barcelona-still-wants-fc-bayern-star-harry-kane",
        "published": "2026-08-21T04:00:00.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}