Whenever it’s a World Cup year, the best players that summer tend to put themselves into the front-running for the Ballon d’Or race. Lionel Messi, for example, won it after his success with Argentina at Qatar 2022, while Luka Modric won the prize in 2018 when Croatia made it all the way to the final in Russia.

In 2026, Spain won the World Cup, meaning key players Rodri and Lamine Yamal will win plenty of votes this year. Beyond the tournament winners, the likes of Messi, Kylian Mbappe, Erling Haaland, and Harry Kane also would have helped their causes after impressing the summer.

However, one English pundit has claimed that nobody from the World Cup in North America deserves to win the award, naming an alternative pick for the 2026 Ballon d’Or instead.

Gabby Agbonlahor Dismisses Harry Kane’s Ballon d’Or Hopes

England’s Harry Kane via REUTERS/Hannah Mckay

Speaking on talkSPORT, former England international Gabby Agbonlahor has explained why he doesn’t think Kane will get the award. He began:

“Listen, Harry Kane: fantastic season at Bayern Munich, done very well at the World Cup… six goals, two assists, 72 goals in total [for club and country]. But I don’t think he’s going to get it.”

“I just think, you know, Champions League disappointment, World Cup disappointment… it’s normally a player, if there’s a World Cup in that year, that gets [the Ballon d’Or]. For instance, Rodri won it in 2024 after winning the Euros, and obviously success with Manchester City.”

The ex-Aston Villa striker then explained that Barcelona and Spain star Yamal has a good chance of winning, due to the success he’s had this summer, noting: “I look at Lamine Yamal. Listen, won the Euros before; won the World Cup this year; won LaLiga; 45 appearances, 24 goals, 18 assists last season with Barcelona. “I think he’s my standout of all the players because he won domestically, he played a lot of football and he won the World Cup.”

Agbonlahor Names His Ballon d’Or Favourite

Although Agbonlahor suggested that Yamal was probably the strongest contender right now, saying “I see Yamal picking it up,” he claimed that somebody who didn’t play in the World Cup would be his personal pick. After insisting that Mbappe and Messi hadn’t done enough to secure the award, he said:

When it was put to him that Kvaratskhelia didn’t play in the World Cup, Agbonlahor replied:

Finally, when asked who he’d choose if he had a vote for the Ballon d’Or, Agbonlahor answered: “Kvaratskhelia. I’d pick him. I think he’s the player that I’ve just enjoyed watching.”

Those of a certain generation will remember Alan Shearer as a relentless goalscorer in his pomp. Although these days he is best-known for his punditry, the Newcastle United legend still holds the record for the most Premier League goals scored (260).

He also bagged 30 goals for England in 63 caps, a fine record which leaves him joint-seventh on the list of all-time men’s goalscorers for the Three Lions. Having done so well for his country, it’s interesting to learn that his daughter has just married another international sportsman.

Indeed, Hollie tied the knot with her new husband this week. However, he is known for playing a different sport.

Hollie Shearer Marries England Sports Star

Shearer was on co-commentary duties as Spain beat Argentina in the World Cup final in New Jersey last Sunday, but quickly rushed back to England to watch his daughter Hollie marry Joe Marchant. Rugby fans will be familiar with that name, as he has represented England 28 times in the sport.

Marchant currently also plays as a centre for PREM Rugby club Sale Sharks, having left Stade Francais earlier in 2026. Born in Winchester, the 30-year-old made his debut for England in 2019, having played for his country at U18 and U20 level.

Shearer’s daughter confirmed her romance with the former Harlequins star back in April 2022, as she later moved to France with him. They then got engaged in 2024, before getting married this summer in Winchester.

They took to social media to share photos outside local pub The Royal Oak, which has stood, in part, for more than a thousand years after being built in 1002.

How Shearer Feels About Joe Marchant

Shearer has already given an indication of how he feels about the marriage, and the good news is that he seems delighted for his daughter. After Hollie announced her engagement on social media, he reacted with a series of heart-eyes and clapping hand emojis. Adding to this, he also later joked:

Shearer appears to have a good relationship with his new son-in-law, having also had a laugh at his expense in another past social media post. When the couple vacationed on Naxos Island in Greece in 2023, one photo showed Marchant in particularly revealing swimwear, prompting Shearer to comment: “WTF are the smugglers you have on?”

Shearer isn’t the only football pundit to see his child marry and England star of late. Indeed, Taylor Harwood-Bellis married Roy Keane’s daughter Leah this year. The Southampton star – with one cap for the Three Lions – explained what it’s like to have the Manchester United legend in his life, saying:

“He’s one of the people, barring my immediate family, who I know for a fact has only my interests in mind The advice he gives me, I know he’s got my full interests at heart, so he has helped me with decisions. He shows me lots of support and he doesn’t say well done too often, unless I’ve done something special.

“Maybe if we [Southampton] beat [Man] City, I might get a well done.”

Fabrizio Romano has dropped important news regarding Arsenal‘s pursuit of Newcastle United midfielder Bruno Guimaraes.

The Gunners have been eyeing Guimaraes, and the Brazilian has been open to a move to the Emirates after the Magpies’ failure to qualify for Europe. He is at the top of Mikel Arteta’s wishlist, and the Spaniard wants him to become his latest big-name midfield arrival.

It feels as though Arteta wants a top midfield signing each summer after signing Martin Zubimendi from Real Sociedad for £60 million. Mikel Merino arrived from the Spanish club for £27.4 million a year before, and Declan Rice became their club record signing in a £105 million deal in July 2023.

‘Contract is Done’ – Guimaraes Agrees Arsenal Move

via Reuters

Arsenal have already made a concrete move for Guimaraes, but Newcastle have been blocking a potential transfer. The Tyneside giants want to keep their captain, who has been hugely important for Eddie Howe since arriving from Lyon for £40 million.

Romano has delved into the situation and confirmed that the 28-year-old has agreed on a move to the Emirates. He said on his YouTube channel:

“Arsenal are ready to send a new bid for Bruno Guimaraes. Arsenal ready. Arsenal want to go for Bruno. Arsenal have full agreement in place with Bruno Guimaraes on personal terms. So the contract is ready. The contract is done. Bruno said yes to Arsenal. Bruno wants to be respectful with Newcastle, so he doesn’t want to break the relationship. But Bruno wants to go. Bruno made clear to Newcastle that his desire is to go.”

Guimaraes had been linked with Arsenal before moving to Newcastle back in January 2022. He has since been a revelation at St James’ Park, thriving with performances that have seen him labelled ‘world-class.’

While Romano doesn’t mention how much the Gunners are looking to bid, previous reports suggest a £70 million offer is expected to be made. Given Guimaraes’ clear desire to make the move, it feels as though this is a transfer that gets done despite the Magpies’ reluctance to sell.

Arsenal’s Midfield Will be Scary

REUTERS/Hannah Mckay

Guimaraes gets into pretty much any Premier League team’s midfield, and the possibility of seeing him line up alongside Declan Rice will frighten Arsenal’s rivals. His all-round game is second to none, and he will only help Arteta try to successfully retain the title.

Whether the Brazilian’s potential exit could have repercussions for other midfielders at the Emirates is unclear. A report earlier this week claimed that Martin Odegaard’s future could be in doubt if the Newcastle skipper arrives.

Guimaraes is at his peak and his personality could be a perfect fit for this Gunners team. After just falling short at the final hurdle in last season’s Champions League, this addition could be the catalyst for a first European trophy.