Lamine Yamal stands as a Ballon d’Or winner in the hearts of his supporters and former peers following a dominant 2025/26 campaign for Barcelona and the Spain national team, according to Samuel Eto’o. The 19-year-old has captured consecutive La Liga titles with Barcelona and led La Furia Roja to victory at the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the United States, cementing his status among world football’s elite.
Samuel Eto’o Endorses Lamine Yamal’s Ballon d’Or Bid
Former Barcelona and Cameroon striker Samuel Eto’o publicly threw his weight behind Lamine Yamal’s nomination for the prestigious 2026 Ballon d’Or award. Eto’o shared his endorsement on social media, praising the teenager’s impact on the pitch over the past two seasons.
“Jenius, berani, berbakat. Semoga sukses dalam perburuan Ballon d’Or ini,” Eto’o stated, as reported by Sportskeeda and referenced across international coverage. Translating to English, the former forward described the young Spaniard as a genius, bold, and talented, wishing him success in the race for the golden ball. Eto’o added, “Namun apa pun keputusan akhirnya, satu hal yang pasti: sama seperti Ousmane, kamu sudah menjadi Ballon d’Or di hati kami,” acknowledging that regardless of the official voting verdict, Yamal alongside Ousmane Dembele already holds the status of a Ballon d’Or winner in the collective hearts of their supporters.
A Historic 2025/26 Season for Club and Country
Yamal’s nomination among the 30 finalists for the 2026 award rests on a formidable statistical and trophy-laden resume. During the 2025/26 season, the teenage forward made 57 appearances, netting 25 goals and providing 20 assists across all competitions. His silverware collection for the period includes a FIFA World Cup winners’ medal—secured after Spain defeated Argentina in the tournament’s final match in the United States—alongside the Spanish Championship (La Liga) and the Spanish Super Cup.
Underpinning his individual brilliance is his consistency at club level. Yamal played a central role in guiding Barcelona to consecutive La Liga crowns over the past two seasons, establishing himself as a foundational piece in the Catalan club’s tactical framework.
Elite Competition for the Golden Ball
The race for the 2026 Ballon d’Or features a crowded field of high-profile nominees alongside Yamal. Among the elite contenders named in the shortlist are Kylian Mbappe, Ousmane Dembele, and Harry Kane.
Eto’o’s endorsement of Yamal, however, sparked wider conversation within the football community, particularly regarding the representation of African talent in the voting pool. While Eto’o—who currently serves as the president of the Cameroonian Football Federation—chose to back the Spanish international, several supporters questioned why a prominent figure representing African football interests did not direct his public support toward African nominees on the 30-player shortlist, such as Morocco defender Achraf Hakimi and Senegal forward Sadio Mane. George Weah remains the sole African player in history to win the Ballon d’Or.
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