Eric García hands out the Ballon d’Or awards with an all-Barcelona podium
Eric García named Lamine Yamal, Pedri and Raphinha as his ideal Ballon d’Or podium, although two of his selections were not nominated.
Eric García has named his ideal Ballon d’Or podium. The Barcelona defender picked Lamine Yamal as the winner, with Pedri and Raphinha completing an entirely Blaugrana top three. There is one inconvenient detail: two of his selections did not even make the 30-man shortlist.
NO ROOM FOR THE REST OF FOOTBALL
García revealed his choices during an interview with SER Catalunya’s “Què T’hi Jugues!” programme and made no attempt to sound neutral.
“The podium should be Barça, that is clear, and Lamine Yamal should win it. Lamine, Pedri and Raphinha would be my podium,” the Spain international said.
It was a teammate’s personal opinion, not an official result. Still, Barcelona’s preferred seating arrangement appears to be complete already: three places, three Barça players and no chair left for anybody else.
TWO OF HIS PICKS WERE NOT NOMINATED
Of the three players selected by García, only Lamine Yamal appears on the final 30-man shortlist. Pedri and Raphinha were omitted, a decision the defender described as unbelievable. He also argued that Pau Cubarsí, Dani Olmo and Fermín López deserved recognition.
The official list includes three players associated with Barcelona’s current squad: Lamine Yamal, Pau Cubarsí and Rodri. Pedri and Raphinha would therefore need to be added to the shortlist before they could occupy García’s dream podium. It is a minor administrative detail — apart from being rather decisive.
BARCELONA’S CAMPAIGN CONTINUES
Lamine can support his candidacy with substantial achievements. According to the competition’s official website, he recorded 25 goals and 20 assists in 57 matches during the 2025/26 season while winning the World Cup, La Liga and the Spanish Super Cup.
García’s verdict nevertheless remains an endorsement from a club teammate rather than an impartial assessment of the field. Barcelona’s surroundings are not waiting for the ceremony: the voting, rankings and podium reservations are already being handled locally. The official winner will be announced on 26 October.
