Laporta backs Lamine Yamal for Ballon d’Or recognition

Barcelona president Joan Laporta says Lamine Yamal fully deserves his nomination for the Ballon d’Or and believes the teenager has much more to contribute to football in the seasons ahead.

Yamal is included among the 30 nominees for the prestigious individual award, which will be presented at a ceremony in London, England, on Monday, 26 October.

Speaking to reporters, Laporta said: “Lamine is back, or in fact he has never stopped being Lamine Yamal.”

The Barcelona president added: “He possesses exceptional quality, he is a genius, and I believe his nomination for the Ballon d’Or is completely deserved.”

Laporta also praised the Spain international’s character and potential, saying: “He has great self-confidence, maturity beyond his years, as well as tremendous intelligence, and he will give a lot in the coming seasons.”

Yamal is expected to be involved as Barcelona begin their Champions League campaign against Feyenoord at Camp Nou on Wednesday evening.

Barcelona’s opening fixture comes under the competition’s league-phase format. The club will play eight matches in total, with four at home and four away.

French magazine France Football has announced the 30 players shortlisted for the Ballon d’Or. The nominees are:

– Jude Bellingham – England – Real Madrid – Pau Cubarsi – Spain – Barcelona – Marc Cucurella – Spain – Real Madrid and Chelsea – Ousmane Dembele – France – Paris Saint-Germain – Luis Diaz – Colombia – Bayern Munich – Bruno Fernandes – Portugal – Manchester United – Erling Haaland – Norway – Manchester City – Gabriel Magalhaes – Brazil – Arsenal – Harry Kane – England – Bayern Munich – Achraf Hakimi – Morocco – Paris Saint-Germain – Lamine Yamal – Spain – Barcelona – Khvicha Kvaratskhelia – Georgia – Paris Saint-Germain – Marquinhos – Brazil – Paris Saint-Germain – Sadio Mane – Senegal – Al-Nassr – Lautaro Martinez – Argentina – Inter Milan – Kylian Mbappe – France – Real Madrid – Nuno Mendes – Portugal – Paris Saint-Germain – Lionel Messi – Argentina – Inter Miami – Michael Olise – France – Bayern Munich – Joao Neves – Portugal – Paris Saint-Germain – Willian Pacho – Ecuador – Paris Saint-Germain – Julian Quinones – Mexico – Al-Qadsiah – Declan Rice – England – Arsenal – Rodri – Spain – Manchester City and Barcelona – William Saliba – France – Arsenal – Dayot Upamecano – France – Bayern Munich – Vitinha – Portugal – Paris Saint-Germain – Vinicius Junior – Brazil – Real Madrid – Fabian Ruiz – Portugal – Paris Saint-Germain – Ferran Torres – Spain – Paris Saint-Germain and Barcelona

The nomination represents further recognition for Yamal, who has become one of the most prominent young players in European football. Laporta’s comments came before Barcelona’s first Champions League match of the season, with the club looking to start their campaign positively at Camp Nou.