Lamine Yamal has publicly asserted his claim to the 2026 Ballon d’Or, stating that while he and Kylian Mbappé are the two best players in the world, the prestigious individual award belongs to him this year.
The Battle for the 2026 Ballon d’Or Intensifies
The campaign for the 2026 Ballon d’Or has entered a sharper phase as candidates stake their public claims. Lamine Yamal emerged as a leading contender for the France Football trophy following a campaign that included winning the 2026 World Cup. Meanwhile, Real Madrid forward Kylian Mbappé recently positioned himself for the award after finishing as the tournament’s top scorer and the La Liga Pichichi, according to sports reporting across Spanish media outlets.
Speaking in an excerpt from his interview with Universo Valdano, Lamine Yamal offered a direct assessment of the hierarchy at the top of the sport. “Mbappé and I are the two best in the world, but I think this year the Ballon d’Or would deserve to be mine,” the Barcelona star said, as cited by RAC1. When asked about his vote, the 19-year-old added with a smile, “Who would I give it to? To the best player in the world. Who will they give it to? That is already a very long conversation.”
Contrasting Campaigns and Club Successes
The debate highlights a stark contrast in how individual success is measured across the football calendar. Mbappé’s supporters have emphasized his prolific goalscoring exploits, including his scoring run at the World Cup with the French national team. However, reports note that his campaign with Real Madrid yielded no silverware during the club season, whereas Lamine Yamal maintained a major presence in both domestic and international competition.
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Domestically, Barcelona continues to set the pace. According to RAC1 coverage, the side leads La Liga in sole possession following a 4-2 victory away against Levante. In that fixture, Xavi Espart, Adeyemi, and Lamine Yamal—who netted a brace—secured Barcelona’s sixth official victory across La Liga and the UEFA Champions League, bringing their goal tally to 26 for and five against. The win leaves the Catalan club three points clear of Real Madrid and five ahead of Atlético Madrid in the standings.
Autocritique and High Ambitions
Despite his accolades and a World Cup winner’s medal, Lamine Yamal expressed surprising self-critique regarding his performances. “After winning the World Cup I wasn’t happy; I could have done more,” he admitted in the Movistar+ interview, noting that injury had nothing to do with his assessment. “For another player, my performance would have been considered a great tournament, but not for me. I really want the next one to arrive.”
Beyond statistics, the young winger pointed to tactical dimensions of his play that often go unnoticed by casual observers. “I did a lot of things that people didn’t see,” he explained. “For example, I think it’s incredible for the coach to have a player who drags three opponents with him.” Having already amassed a collection of trophies at just 19 years of age, Lamine Yamal emphasized his long-term drive: “I know I have a thousand things to do to stay in the history of football.”
Next Steps in La Liga
With the full Universo Valdano interview scheduled for release on Friday, both players return their focus to domestic and European competition. Barcelona defends its league summit against upcoming fixtures in the Champions League and La Liga, while the global debate over the 2026 Ballon d’Or winner builds toward the eventual gala announcement.
