In a surprising turn, legendary Cameroonian striker Samuel Eto’o has publicly endorsed Lamine Yamal for the 2026 Ballon d’Or, a significant shift from his previous vocal support for Kylian Mbappe. Eto’o’s new stance adds an intriguing layer to the race for football’s most prestigious individual award, especially given Mbappe’s strong connections to Cameroon.

Eto’o, a four-time African Player of the Year who never won the Ballon d’Or during his illustrious playing career, took to social media to express his admiration for the young Barcelona forward. “Genius, bold, talented. Best of luck in this Ballon d’Or race,” Eto’o wrote, adding, “But whatever the verdict is, one thing is certain: just like Ousmane, you are already the Ballon d’Or of our hearts.”

Eto’o’s previous praise for Mbappe

The endorsement of Yamal marks a notable change in allegiance for Eto’o. Only in 2021, the former Barcelona and Inter Milan star was quoted by AS, via Squawka, as predicting a dominant future for Kylian Mbappe. At the time, Eto’o positioned Mbappe as the heir apparent to football’s long-reigning titans.

“He is there and it has arrived at a good moment, in which Messi and Cristiano, the gods of football, are in the night of their careers due to age and Mbappe is arriving,” Eto’o told AS. “I hope he will be the biggest for the next 10 or 15 years. He has everything to be this unique player that soccer needs after these two monsters.”

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Mbappe himself has often spoken of his strong ties to Africa, particularly Cameroon, the homeland of his father. Speaking to Radio France Internationale, Mbappe previously shared, “Every time I visit Africa, I am received with great warmth. I have never lost touch with them. I feel the love of the fans there, and it truly gives me pleasure to feel the support of an entire continent.”

The upcoming Ballon d’Or ceremony

The 70th edition of the Ballon d’Or ceremony is scheduled for 26 October and will be hosted in London at the Palladium Theatre. The choice of England as host is a tribute to the late Stanley Matthews, the inaugural winner of the award.

While Eto’o’s backing can influence public perception, the official Ballon d’Or voting is conducted by top journalists from FIFA football federations. The award has seen a shift in recent years, with the “gods of football,” Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, nearing the twilight of their careers. Messi claimed a record seventh Ballon d’Or in 2021, moving two awards ahead of Ronaldo, after a season that saw him win the Copa America with Argentina and secure a record eighth Pichichi trophy as La Liga’s top scorer.

Both Kylian Mbappe and Lamine Yamal are widely considered strong contenders for future Ballon d’Or honours, and Eto’o’s public declaration for the young Spaniard adds an unexpected twist to their burgeoning rivalry.

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