“2026 Ballon d’Or: Pogba and Lingard Unveil Their Top Contender!”
Former Manchester United athletes, Jesse Lingard and Paul Pogba, assert that Bruno Fernandes warrants recognition for the Ballon d’Or this year.
Lingard also honored his previous teammate, praising Fernandes for his accessibility during their collaboration from 2020 to 2022.
Following the termination of Ruben Amorim, Manchester United has showcased notable progress and presently occupies third place in the Premier League with 58 points from 33 matches.
Fernandes has been pivotal in Manchester United’s revival, amassing eight goals and 19 assists in 32 games across all tournaments.
At 31 years of age, he is merely two assists away from equaling the record for the highest number of assists in a single Premier League season (20), a record held by Thierry Henry and Kevin De Bruyne.
Despite Manchester United’s exclusion from European tournaments this season and their challenges in other competitions, Lingard and Pogba insist that Fernandes should be recognized for the 2026 Ballon d’Or.
Lingard stated to BBC Sport, “His performances at Manchester United this season have been remarkable. He has to be included in the conversation.”
Although Fernandes has had an impressive individual season, it seems improbable that he will win the Ballon d’Or this year.
Players such as Harry Kane, Michael Olise, Lamine Yamal, and Kylian Mbappe are arguably positioned higher in the standings owing to their achievements this season.
Nonetheless, Pogba argues that Fernandes would be a formidable candidate for the Ballon d’Or if he were playing for Manchester City.
The Frenchman conveyed to Rio Ferdinand (via BBC Sport), “Bruno Fernandes, at other major clubs, would be in the top three for Ballon d’Or. Do you believe that Bruno, if he’s in another team, isn’t a Ballon d’Or caliber player? Place him in [Manchester] City, and he’s in the Ballon d’Or race.
“He’s ubiquitous on the pitch. He possesses stamina. He keeps moving. He’s intelligent. He can execute with two touches, or just one. He can shoot.
