Yamal: I Deserve the Ballon d'Or

Barcelona and Spain star Lamine Yamal believes that he and French Real Madrid striker Kylian Mbappé are the two best players in the world, asserting that he deserves to win the 2026 Ballon d’Or after a trophy-laden year with the Catalan club and La Roja. The 19-year-old winger said in an interview with Movistar Plus, excerpts of which were published the day before yesterday: “Who would I give the Ballon d’Or to? To the best player in the world. And who will give it to? That’s a long story. I honestly believe I deserve it this year given the titles I’ve won (the La Liga and the World Cup). For me, Mbappé and I are the best players in the world. It’s very clear, and anyone who watches the matches knows that.” Yamal helped Barcelona retain the La Liga title before winning the World Cup with Spain this summer, boosting his chances of securing football’s most prestigious individual award.

For his part, Mbappé said during a press conference on Monday and in an extensive interview with France Football, the magazine that organizes the award, that he has a strong chance of winning the Ballon d’Or for the first time after becoming the all-time top scorer in World Cup history this summer. Mbappé said, “There was no better player than me last season,” noting that he finished the season as top scorer in La Liga, the Champions League, and the World Cup, but without winning any team trophies.

His French national team teammate and last year’s winner, Paris Saint-Germain winger Ousmane Dembélé, insisted that the Ballon d’Or should remain “in the hands” of a player from the French capital club, which has won the Champions League two years in a row. English striker Harry Kane, who plays for German club Bayern Munich, is also among the leading contenders for the award. The Ballon d’Or ceremony is scheduled for October 26 in London, giving the various candidates more time to continue their outstanding performances in pursuit of the prize.