Yamal: Deserves the Ballon d'Or, Mbappé and his rivals are the most prominent

Lamine Yamal, the star of Barcelona and the Spanish national team, has asserted that he deserves to win this year’s Ballon d’Or for the world’s best player, identifying Frenchman Kylian Mbappé, Real Madrid’s top scorer, as his most prominent rival for the award. Yamal believes that he and Mbappé are the two best players in the world, but he feels that the titles he won with Barcelona last season give him an edge in the Ballon d’Or race.

In an interview with Movistar Plus, responding to a question about his candidacy for the award, Yamal said: “Who would I vote for? The best player in the world. And who will win it? That’s a long debate. I truly believe there are only two players in the world, and this year I deserve it based on what I’ve achieved. For me, Mbappé and I are the best players in the world, and that’s clear to me and to anyone watching the matches.”

Yamal has continued his impressive form for Barcelona at the start of the season, scoring two goals in Sunday’s 4-2 La Liga victory over Levante, bringing his tally to seven and helping his team top the league table by three points over Real Madrid. The ceremony to announce the Ballon d’Or winner is scheduled to take place in London on October 26, with the shortlist also including Harry Kane, Ousmane Dembélé, and Rodri.