Barcelona star Lamine Yamal believes his performances and achievements over the past season make him a deserving candidate for this year’s Ballon d’Or.
The Spanish forward pointed to his success with both Barcelona and the national team, while identifying Real Madrid’s Kylian Mbappe as his closest rival for the prestigious individual award.
“I honestly believe there are two of us who are the best in the world, and this year I’d deserve it because of what I’ve won,” Yamal said in an interview clip shared by Spanish streaming platform Movistar on Sunday night.
“For me, Mbappe and I are the two best in the world. It’s clear to me, and everyone who watches the matches knows it.”
Yamal enjoyed a standout 2025/26 campaign, helping Barcelona retain the La Liga title before playing an important role in Spain’s World Cup triumph in North America. His performances also earned him the La Liga Player of the Season award.
Mbappe, however, has a strong case of his own. The France international finished as the leading scorer at both the World Cup and in La Liga, while also topping the scoring charts in the Champions League.
Despite his impressive individual numbers, Mbappe ended the season without a major trophy. He also said last week that he did not believe any player had performed better than him during the campaign.
Yamal was more cautious when speaking about the Ballon d’Or at a news conference last Tuesday, saying he had a chance after an “incredible” season but would not beg for votes.
The 19 year old finished second behind Ousmane Dembele in last year’s Ballon d’Or voting, while Mbappe placed third in 2023 when Lionel Messi claimed the prize for a record eighth time.
Dembele has also entered the conversation again, arguing that the award should remain with a Paris Saint Germain player after the French club successfully defended its Champions League title.
Bayern Munich and England striker Harry Kane is another leading contender for the award, which will be presented in London on October 26.
