‘I love football; I’m not interested in politics’ - Manchester City midfielder Rayan Cherki on dreaming to win the Ballon d’Or

Kylian Mbappé (27), Lamine Yamal (19), Kvicha Kvaratshkelia (25) or Harry Kane (33). Not a day has gone by recently without the debate surrounding the Ballon d'Or filling the headlines of newspapers around the world. And everyone has given their own little interview, sprinkling their answers with carefully chosen phrases designed to sway the vote in their favour.

A team-mate of five of the 30 nominees for the 2026 edition, Manchester City's Rayan Cherki (23) is also among those players whom many consider capable of one day winning the ultimate individual honour. But for a player fresh from a successful first season in England (10 goals and 15 assists in 52 matches), lifting the Ballon d'Or does not seem to be a top priority.

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"Do I dream of it? Not right now…," the Olympique Lyonnais academy graduate told Téléfoot. "I'm a player who loves football. I'm not here to play political games or make calculations. I'm really just here to be myself."

However, if Cherki were to maintain the form he has shown since the start of the 2026-27 season (four goals and two assists in eight matches), his chances of success could well increase. Time will tell very soon.

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