Jorge Mendes backs Lamine Yamal to win Ballon d’Or

Jorge Mendes has backed Lamine Yamal to win this year’s Ballon d’Or, saying the Barcelona forward is clearly ahead of the other candidates.

The influential players’ agent made the comments in a statement highlighted on X by Fabrizio Romano, the transfer market expert.

“The Ballon d’Or is clearly for Lamine Yamal,” Mendes said.

“He’s the best and the difference with the other candidates is very clear. You all know that.”

The Ballon d’Or, awarded by France Football, also includes Real Madrid forward Kylian Mbappe and Paris Saint-Germain players Fabian Ruiz and Ousmane Dembele among the candidates.

Mendes, who represents several Barcelona players, also met the club’s president Joan Laporta on Monday to discuss matters relating to the team.

According to Spanish newspaper Mundo Deportivo, which cited sources close to Barcelona, the meeting was not intended to address any issues concerning future transfer windows.

The discussions took place only a few days after the summer transfer window closed.