Lamine Yamal has made his case for the 2026 Ballon d’Or, arguing that the award should recognise footballers who bring a distinctive sense of magic to the pitch rather than simply those with the strongest scoring statistics.
The 19-year-old Barcelona and Spain forward said Lionel Messi and Ronaldinho are the two players he most associates with the Ballon d’Or. For Yamal, both represented a rare ability to make supporters enjoy football on a deeper level.
“The Ballon d’Or is the trophy that rewards the best player of the year, the exceptional player, the one you enjoy watching play, to the point where you watch a match just because of him,” Yamal said. “It has nothing to do with the number of goals he scores.”
Yamal believes his individual style, combined with his trophy record, provides a strong argument. He played a central role in Spain’s 2026 World Cup triumph and Barcelona’s La Liga title win, while also being named La Liga’s player of the season. His influence extends beyond goals and assists, with his creativity, dribbling and ability to change matches making him one of the most compelling young footballers in the game.
The Spain international has nevertheless identified Kylian Mbappé as his main challenger for the award. Yamal said he considers himself and the Real Madrid forward to be the leading candidates, but believes his success with club and country gives him an advantage.
“As far as I’m concerned, Mbappé and I are the two best in the world,” Yamal said. “I won the World Cup and La Liga, and I think I deserve it.”
Spain’s World Cup victory has already given Yamal a defining moment in his young career. The tournament concluded with Spain defeating Argentina in the final, meaning any suggestion that the two sides are still due to meet at MetLife Stadium is outdated.
Yamal’s rise has also come during a period of long-term stability for Spain. The Royal Spanish Football Federation recently extended head coach Luis de la Fuente’s contract through 2032 following his success with the national team. For Yamal, that continuity offers an opportunity to continue developing within a Spain side that has returned to the summit of world football.
