Luis Figo, the 2000 Ballon d'Or winner, has outlined his vision for this year's award race, naming four standout performers while notably omitting Lionel Messi and Lamine Yamal from contention. Speaking to Spanish newspaper Marca, the Portuguese legend referenced the recent World Cup as a defining barometer for elite individual performances.
Rodri Leads Figo's Race
Rodri sits firmly at the top of Figo's shortlist. The Manchester City midfielder's commanding displays throughout the World Cup tournament have convinced Figo that the Spanish playmaker deserves front-runner status. "Rodri delivered a wonderful World Cup, and this may tip the scales in his favour in the Ballon d'Or race," Figo explained. His midfield mastery—controlling tempo and dictating play from deep—exemplified the technical excellence expected of elite performers on football's biggest stage.
Figo acknowledged Real Madrid's long-standing interest in acquiring Rodri, though he flagged the complexity of any potential transfer. "Completing the deal will be difficult because he is tied to a contract with Manchester City, but everyone knows that Real Madrid always seeks to sign the best players in the world," he noted. This transfer speculation adds another layer to Rodri's candidacy, positioning him as one of football's most sought-after talents.
Mbappe and PSG Duo Complete the List
Kylian Mbappé earned Figo's endorsement as a legitimate contender following an impressive World Cup campaign. Despite Rodri's lack of prolific goal-scoring or assist numbers, Figo argued that exceptional overall performances warrant consideration. "Mbappe too, thanks to what he delivered at the World Cup, should be among the candidates," he stated, highlighting the France international's dynamic attacking contributions.
Paris Saint-Germain's Vitinha and Désiré Doucé round out Figo's four picks. Both players benefited from their club's UEFA Champions League triumph, a trophy that substantially bolsters Ballon d'Or credentials. Figo credited their consistency across the season while acknowledging uneven World Cup performances: "I think Vitinha and Doucé delivered a wonderful season, even if the World Cup was not the best for them, especially with the Portugal national team, but they deserve to be among the list of candidates."
Figo also commended Spain's World Cup victory, praising their defensive solidity—conceding just one goal—and technical superiority throughout the tournament. His broader assessment underscores how major international competitions shape the narrative around individual awards in professional football, particularly when evaluating consistency, championships, and peak performances across different stages.
