Álex Baena has named Lamine Yamal and three other players he believes deserve the Ballon d'Or, adding Fabián Ruiz to a list he shared earlier this month. The Atlético Madrid midfielder told Diario SPORT:
"The winner has to be Lamine. I'd include Rodri, Messi and Fabián, too."
Baena made the comments after coming off the bench for Spain in their 3-2 win over England at Wembley. The 25-year-old scored his side's second goal, bringing them level after Anthony Gordon and Harry Kane had put England ahead.
Lamine Yamal had given Spain an early lead, capitalising on a defensive error from Marc Guehi inside the first two minutes. The Barcelona star netted the fastest goal England had conceded at Wembley in almost 70 years, per Opta.
Mikel Oyarzabal scored the winner in the closing stages to hand the world champions victory. Yamal showcased why he is one of the favourites to win the Ballon d'Or next month.
What Was Baena's Ballon d'Or Top Three Before He Added Fabián Ruiz?
Nine days before the Wembley game, Baena named Yamal, Rodri and Messi as his top three in an interview with DAZN Fútbol ahead of the Madrid derby. He did not mention Ruiz.
In that interview, he called Yamal "the best player in the world" and said Rodri "showed his level at the World Cup."
He also described watching Yamal during Spain's summer training camps, adding: "None of our colleagues do what he does."
Baena added Ruiz to his list after the England match, having left him out of his earlier top three.
How Baena's Ballon d'Or List Compare To Rodri's Six-Man Shortlist
Rodri gave a separate assessment of the Ballon d'Or race in an interview with El Partidazo de COPE. His list included Marc Cucurella, Pau Cubarsí, Rodri himself, Fabián Ruiz, Yamal, and Ferran Torres, all members of Spain's World Cup-winning squad.
Rodri left Messi off his list entirely. He said he wanted a Spaniard to win the award and argued that Ruiz "is the one who has won the most titles" among the group he named.
Between the two interviews, Baena and Rodri named seven different players in total. Yamal and Ruiz are the only two names to appear on both lists, while Messi features only on Baena's.
Why Yamal Keeps Coming Up In The Ballon d'Or Conversation
Yamal, 19, was part of Spain's World Cup-winning squad and has scored eight goals and provided six assists in eight competitive appearances for Barcelona this season, according to Opta. Yamal is among the players in contention for the award.
Betting markets currently have Harry Kane ahead of him, with Kylian Mbappé also among the leading names.
The Ballon d'Or will be presented at a ceremony in London on 26 October. Spain's win over England extended their unbeaten run to more than two years, the longest active unbeaten run among national teams.
