Barcelona sensation Lamine Yamal has delivered a refreshingly blunt response regarding his Ballon d’Or ambitions, insisting the prestigious individual honour is far from his priority despite rapidly establishing himself among world football’s elite talents.
The teenage star, already a central figure for both club and country, has stressed that his focus remains firmly fixed on collective success rather than personal accolades.
Yamal’s rise has been nothing short of extraordinary. The Spanish-Moroccan forward played a pivotal role in Barcelona’s domestic dominance last season, helping the Catalan giants secure La Liga, the Copa del Rey and the Supercopa de Espana.
His outstanding performances also propelled him to second place in the 2025 Ballon d’Or standings, where he finished behind Paris Saint-Germain winger Ousmane Dembele.
While he did receive recognition by winning the Kopa Trophy as the world’s best young player, many observers believed his impact merited even greater individual acclaim.
However, the Barcelona prodigy appears largely unmoved by such debates. Speaking to Mundo Deportivo, Yamal dismissed the idea that chasing football’s most coveted individual award shapes his ambitions or mindset.
“I don’t think about it. It’s an award that, if you think about it, you’re not going to get an answer. It depends on what you win, how you play, and who votes. It’s not something that is decided by your play.
“I just want to enjoy myself and win with Barca and the national team.”
Yamal also acknowledged that public expectations often revolve around measurable output such as goals and assists, but he remains committed to a broader interpretation of his role within the team structure.
“My game is not based on that (stats). It’s true that it creates controversy because when I play well, I don’t score, and when I score, I don’t play well, but I want to play well, for the team to win, and to keep it that way.”
Barcelona’s strong start to the current campaign reinforces Yamal’s realistic chances of remaining in Ballon d’Or discussions, even if he personally distances himself from such speculation.
The club has already secured the Spanish Super Cup and continues to compete on multiple fronts, including La Liga, the Copa del Rey and the UEFA Champions League.
