‘I used to watch Barcelona for Messi, now for Lamine’ – Alex Baena makes huge Yamal claim and names Ballon d’Or top three

The conversation inevitably turned toward individual accolades, with Baena asked to identify the three players he believes currently sit at the summit of the sport. While the race for the Golden Ball is often a subject of intense debate, the midfielder was clear about his preferences, prioritising pure talent and historic consistency.

“My Ballon d’Or top 3? Lamine, Rodri, and Messi,” Baena confirmed in an interview shared by DAZN Futbol. He went on to explain the reasoning behind his picks, adding: “Lamine is the best in the world. Rodri proved it at the World Cup – and Messi, with what he’s doing at 39 years old, it’s very hard for any player to do the same.”