The announcement of the 30 candidates for the 2026 Ballon d'Or has caused strong controversy in Catalonia, especially due to the absence of two of Barcelona's stars, Pedro and Raphinha. Both players were not included in the final list, a decision that has sparked numerous reactions in the media close to the Catalan club.
Journalist Alfredo Martinez, in a comment for the Catalan newspaper "Sport", has questioned the importance and credibility of the award, directly linking it to the expulsion of two Barcelona players.
"Is it really that important to win the 'Ballon d'Or'? An award that doesn't include Pedro and Raphinha among the 30 best players of the season loses credibility from the start," Martinez wrote.
According to him, football will always have a subjective element and it is normal for voters' preferences to change. However, the Catalan journalist argues that some of the list's decisions are very difficult to justify.
Martinez believes that Pedri and Raphinha should be considered without much discussion among the 10 or 15 best footballers in the world, criticizing the fact that other names have been included in the list instead of them.
"The big truth is that we will never agree, because everyone has their own preferences and that is completely normal," he wrote, acknowledging that the debate over the Ballon d'Or will never end.
The journalist also questions the importance given to this award over the years. According to him, the history of football has shown that a player can build a great career even without winning the "Ballon d'Or".
His criticism goes even further, describing the award as a powerful media and marketing product.
"In the end, it is also a marketing and image-selling product. In fact, the organizers benefit more from it than the players themselves," Martínez wrote.
According to him, Barcelona fans do not need an individual award to understand the value of their players. "Most fans will value their players the same, regardless of whether they win the award or not. They know better than anyone what these players give to their teams and what their true level is on the pitch," he argued.
Martinez also criticized the authority that football has given to the "Ballon d'Or", emphasizing that the award is often treated as if it were an absolute verdict on the best footballer in the world, while in reality the winner is determined by the votes of journalists with different preferences.
"We have given the whole 'Ballon d'Or' an exaggerated authority, almost as if it were a doctrine. In reality, it is a group of journalists, each with their own tastes, who have to tell us who is better: This player or that one," he wrote.
In conclusion, the Catalan journalist stated that Barcelona does not need an individual evaluation to determine the level of its players.
"Let them give it to whoever they want. Barcelona knows very well who the 'Golden Balls' they have within their team. Thank you," Martinez concluded.
