Giggs and Arsenal Legends Back Yamal for Ballon dOr

Lamine Yamal has emerged as a popular choice among former Manchester United and Arsenal players for the 2026 Ballon d’Or, following a series of predictions collected by former England international Rio Ferdinand. Ryan Giggs, Nemanja Vidic, John O’Shea, Ashley Cole and Gilberto Silva backed the Barcelona winger ahead of the award announcement in London later this month.

According to the Daily Post, Ferdinand gathered the selections from several former players in a video published on the official X account of Rio Ferdinand Presents, through Rio VLOGS. The responses also included support for Michael Olise, Kylian Mbappe and Harry Kane.

Giggs, Vidic and O’Shea, all former Manchester United players, selected Yamal as their choice for the individual honor. Former Arsenal defenders Ashley Cole and Gilberto Silva also named the young winger.

Former Manchester United and Arsenal defender Mikael Silvestre offered a different prediction when Ferdinand asked him to identify his expected winner.

“Michael Olise.” Silvestre replied.

Silvestre was among the former players who chose someone other than Yamal. His selection added another contender to the list of candidates named during Ferdinand's video.

Former Manchester United striker Louis Saha backed Kylian Mbappe, explaining his preference by referring to the forward's nationality.

“Mbappe, because he is French.” Saha said.

Former Manchester United striker Dimitar Berbatov selected Harry Kane, while acknowledging that his personal preference influenced the decision.

“I would be biased and go for Harry Kane.” Berbatov said.

The selections reflect differing preferences among the former players consulted by Ferdinand, with Yamal receiving support from representatives associated with both Manchester United and Arsenal. Olise, Mbappe and Kane were the other players named in the video.

The 2026 Ballon d’Or winner will be announced later this month in London. The award recognizes individual achievement in football, with the former players offering their predictions ahead of the ceremony.