'I deserve it!' - Barcelona sensation Lamine Yamal makes bold Ballon d'Or claim and names himself and Kylian Mbappe as world's two best players
Barcelona forward Lamine Yamal has publicly declared himself a top contender for the 2026 Ballon d'Or. He identified himself and Kylian Mbappe as the world's best players, citing his recent trophy wins and statistical performance as justification.
Why it matters
The statement reflects the shifting landscape of elite football as younger players challenge established stars for individual honors.
Barcelona sensation Lamine Yamal has officially thrown his hat into the ring for the 2026 Ballon d'Or, insisting he deserves to be crowned the best player on the planet. The 19-year-old superstar believes he and Kylian Mbappe currently stand alone at the top of the game, following a trophy-laden season for club and country.
Yamal has confidently positioned himself as the leading candidate for the 2026 Ballon d'Or. The 19-year-old forward, who helped Spain to World Cup glory, believes his exceptional performances over the past year make him the standout choice for world football's premier individual accolade.
The Barcelona sensation conviction follows a remarkably successful campaign for both club and country, where he played a pivotal role in the Blaugrana securing the La Liga title and the Spanish Super Cup, registering a remarkable 24 goals and 18 assists across all competitions.
Also covering this story
5 other newsrooms covered this event. We read each version separately.
Yamal strikes twice as Barcelona maintain perfect La Liga start with 4-2 win
Lamine Yamal equals Lionel Messi record as Barcelona secure thrilling victory over Levante
Lamine Yamal equals Lionel Messi benchmark in Barcelona’s win over Levante
Barcelona beat Levante as Yamal scores twice to maintain perfect start
Yamal scores twice as Barcelona beat Levante 4:2
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