The 2026 Ballon d'Or ballot submitted by Algerian journalist Yazid Ouahib has sparked debate due to its unconventional rankings. By favoring 2026 World Cup champions, the voter included five Spanish players in his top 10. While Lamine Yamal was placed first for the second consecutive year, Rodri's second-place ranking raised eyebrows, particularly since the journalist had previously ranked him sixth in 2024. Additionally, placing Ferran Torres fourth—despite his 16th place in the final overall results—and relegating high-scoring stars like Kylian Mbappé and Harry Kane to the 7th and 8th spots, has drawn significant criticism.