Luis Figo knows a thing or two about what it takes to win a Ballon d’Or. The Portuguese great lifted the award back in 2000 during his time at Real Madrid, and 26 years on, he’s been sharing his verdict on this year’s race.

With Lionel Messi and Lamine Yamal both reaching the final of the 2026 World Cup, and Harry Kane netting a colossal 73 goals for club and country, plenty assumed the trio would feature prominently in any conversation about the game’s top individual prize. Figo, though, has gone in a different direction entirely.

He’s left them off his list of frontrunners and instead nominated four alternative names, while also sharing his thoughts on Jose Mourinho’s return to Los Blancos.

Rodri a Leading Contender After World Cup Glory

REUTERS/Kai Pfaffenbach via Action Images

Manchester City’s Rodri sits top of Figo’s list. Speaking to Marca, the 53-year-old pointed to the midfielder’s Golden Ball-winning form at the World Cup as the deciding factor, saying:

Figo also addressed Real Madrid’s reported interest in the City man, adding: “I think completing the deal will be difficult because he is tied to a contract with Manchester City, but everyone knows that Real Madrid always seeks to sign the best players in the world.”

After taking home the Golden Boot, Kylian Mbappe also made the cut: “Mbappe too, thanks to what he delivered at the World Cup, should be among the candidates.”

PSG Duo Make Up the Figo’s Outsiders

Two PSG names rounded out Figo’s picks: Vitinha, one of the favourites for the Ballon d’Or before the World Cup, and Desire Doue, both driven by their Champions League triumph rather than their summer across the Atlantic.

Figo was also full of praise for Spain’s tournament win, calling them the standout side throughout. “Spain were the best team, not only in the final, but throughout the tournament. They conceded only one goal, they were the most stable and played the best football, so their title was deserved,” he said.

Jose Mourinho’s return to the Bernabeu drew comment too, with Figo stressing the priority now facing his fellow-countryman. “I think the most important goal for Real Madrid now is to return to collecting titles after two seasons without trophies.”

Jurgen Klopp is poised to be confirmed as Germany’s new head coach, bringing an end to weeks of speculation since Julian Nagelsmann’s departure following the World Cup Round of 32 exit on penalties to Paraguay.

It’s a first foray into international management for the 59-year-old, who left his post at Liverpool back in 2024 after nine years at Anfield, winning the club’s first Premier League title in 2020, and the Champions League the year before.

After taking a break from football altogether, he was appointed as Red Bull’s Head of Global Soccer and has been in the position since early 2025, but now appears to be the right time to step back into management with the country of his birth.

But while the appointment carries huge prestige for German football and Klopp himself, the financial details tell a very different story.

Jurgen Klopp’s Germany Salary Revealed

Klopp is reportedly set to sign a four-year deal that will see his contract end after the 2030 World Cup, earning around €7 million (£6 million) per year. It’s a figure that is, of course, an eye-watering amount in itself, and it also places him as one of the highest-paid international managers in world football.

But if you compare that to his final season at Liverpool, Klopp was pulling in £15 million annually, working out to over 50% more than his new salary. Even his role with Red Bull has been paying him more. Klopp reportedly has a salary between €10 million and €12 million, despite having no on-pitch involvement whatsoever.

Liverpool and the Premier League Dictate the Pay Scale

The gap isn’t about Klopp’s individual pedigree; it’s about football’s economics. Even a manager who’s won 13 major trophies takes a significant pay cut when he swaps club football for the international game.

Clubs like Liverpool generate matchday, broadcast, and commercial income that no federation can match, and salaries follow that money. Club managers are also in the dugout week in, week out, working with their squads daily across a league campaign, Champions League nights, and domestic cups.

International bosses see their players a handful of times a year, mostly in short camps before qualifiers or tournaments, and that reduced workload is reflected in the pay packet.

The hunt is on as Manchester United target a third midfield signing ahead of the 2026/27 Premier League season.

A priority for the Red Devils in the transfer market as Michael Carrick looks to build on an impressive first few months as head coach, the club have already confirmed two midfield signings this month.

Andrey Santos was the first addition after United agreed on a £48m deal with Chelsea for the Brazilian.

The signing of Santos was then followed up the next day with the experienced Youri Tielemans joining from Aston Villa for £35m.

United are now targeting a third midfield summer signing and Carrick will be hoping that one comes in through the door in good time ahead of their Premier League opener at Hull City.

Bournemouth ace an option for United

When it comes to the club’s next midfield signing, they are looking to bring in an experienced player who can occupy a deeper role, with Roma’s Manu Kone and Aurelien Tchouameni of Real Madrid so far linked.

According to football journalist and GIVEMESPORT contributor Sam C on X, Bournemouth midfielder Tyler Adams is among the players on a list of options for the club as the transfer window develops.

The ‘incredible’ 27-year-old first moved to the Premier League back in 2022 after joining Leeds United from RB Leipzig, with his move to Bournemouth coming 12 months later.

Enduring an injury-hit first year at the Vitality Stadium, Adams has since developed into a key player for the Cherries and last term he more than played his part in helping the club secure European football for the very first time.

The holding midfielder, who recently played four games for the United States at the 2026 World Cup, would bring plenty of experience to Old Trafford and he would also tick the boxes for United when it comes to their new midfield signing.

Adams isn’t the only Bournemouth midfielder to be linked with a move to the Red Devils this summer as Alex Scott has also been mentioned after a couple of very impressive seasons on the south coast.

Tyler Adams praised

So what exactly would Manchester United be getting in Adams?

Speaking last October, manager Andoni Iraola, who has now swapped Bournemouth for Liverpool, waxed lyrical about the midfielder’s qualities.

“Tyler is a competitor,” he said when speaking on The 2 Robbies podcast. “He’s a great leader. You have to challenge Tyler. Even in training, he’s going to complain if any decision doesn’t go to his side. But I love these kinds of characters. They want even more. He’s all the time focused. He’s a captain, you can see. He’s been a leadership position in all the team he’s played for.”

He added: “He understands well that this is a collective side and he’s the first one from the middle who can correct the team. If he comes to me and tells me something it’s because something is happening. We can see each other and we know something is going on because Tyler is not comfortable.”