{
  "id": 2363062,
  "title": "Ballon d’Or 2026: ‘He’s a genius’ – Jorge Mendes names player who deserves to win award",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/21/ballon-dor-2026-hes-a-genius-jorge-mendes-names-player-who-deserves",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-08-21T10:42:57.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Daily Post Nigeria",
    "slug": "daily-post-nigeria",
    "url": "https://dailypost.ng/2026/08/21/ballon-dor-2026-hes-a-genius-jorge-mendes-names-player-who-deserves-to-win-award/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Jorge Mendes, the former agent of Cristiano Ronaldo, has declared Barcelona winger Lamine Yamal as the sole player deserving of the 2026 Ballon d'Or award. Mendes hailed the Spain international as a genius, asserting that none of the footballers can be compared to him. He argued that the Ballon d'Or is designed for a genius and that Lamine Yamal is the only one who can claim the title this year. \"The Ballon d'Or is for a genius, and Lamine Yamal is the only one who can win it this year. He's a genius, no one can compare after this season,\" Mendes said, according to Fabrizio Romano. After winning the World Cup, La Liga, and claiming another great season with Barcelona, Yamal's achievements and the overall impact make him a deserving candidate for the prestigious award.",
  "summary": "Jorge Mendes, the former agent of Cristiano Ronaldo, has named Barcelona winger Lamine Yamal as the only player who deserves to win the 2026 Ballon d’Or. Mendes described the Spain international as a genius, adding that no footballer can be compared to him. “The Ballon d’Or is for a genius, and Lamine Yamal is the […] Ballon d’Or 2026: ‘He’s a genius’ – Jorge Mendes names player who deserves to…",
  "key_points": [
    "Jorge Mendes declares Barcelona winger Lamine Yamal as sole Ballon d'Or winner.",
    "Mendes describes Yamal as a genius, incomparable this season.",
    "Yamal's achievements in World Cup, La Liga, and Barcelona justify award."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "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."
}