Yamal: I deserve the Ballon d'Or this year

Barcelona and Spain national team 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 on Sunday: “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 played a key role in Barcelona retaining the La Liga title, before being crowned world champion with Spain this summer, boosting his chances of winning the most prestigious individual award in football.

Yamal had spoken more cautiously during a press conference last Tuesday, stating that he believed he had a chance to win the award after an “exceptional” season, but that he would not seek to pander to voters.

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, albeit without winning any team trophies.

Meanwhile, 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 European title two years in a row.

English striker Harry Kane, who plays for German club Bayern Munich, is also considered among the top contenders for the award.

The Ballon d’Or ceremony is scheduled to take place on October 26 in London, giving the various candidates more time to continue their outstanding performances in pursuit of the prize.