Lamine Yamal accepts Ballon d’Or setback as Barcelona star targets future success

Lamine Yamal arrived at the 2026 Ballon d’Or ceremony in London hoping to win football’s biggest individual prize, but the Barcelona forward already suspected the award would go to Harry Kane.

The England striker ultimately claimed the honour for the first time in his career. According to Catalan newspaper Sport, Yamal responded to the result with complete sportsmanship despite missing out on the main award for a second successive year.

Barcelona’s delegation had initially been optimistic about Yamal’s chances. However, expectations within the club began to shift in the days before the ceremony, with Kane increasingly viewed as the likely winner.

Yamal had sensed for about a week that the Bayern Munich forward could prevail. Those doubts grew when Barcelona’s delegation reached London, where the atmosphere appeared to be building towards a Kane victory.

The presence of senior Bayern Munich officials in the English capital also caught Yamal’s attention. He interpreted their arrival as a sign that the German club expected its striker to win, with preparations for possible celebrations apparently taking place both in London and Germany.

Despite those indications, members of the Barcelona group continued to hold out some hope for their player. Yamal eventually had to settle for the award for best young player, edging out his team-mate and friend Pau Cubarsi by only two votes, Sport reported.

Yamal remains convinced of his chance

The 19-year-old did not view the defeat as the end of his ambition. He has already finished among the Ballon d’Or’s top 10 players three times, including two appearances on the podium, and remains confident that he will eventually win the prize.

Yamal also believes the organisers of the award may expect him to reach that milestone in the future. Sport suggested that this could have contributed to his receiving the best young player award.

His outlook combines confidence in his own ability with an understanding that individual talent is not the only factor in Ballon d’Or voting. Team and international success, as well as the trophies won with Barcelona and Spain, will also have a significant bearing on his prospects.

Sport reported that Yamal travelled to London separately from the Barcelona delegation on a private jet, accompanied by people close to him. He stayed in the capital after the ceremony because Barcelona’s first team had been given Tuesday off.

Following the event, he returned to his hotel to rest and sleep. He later had dinner in his room with his partner, Ines Garcia.

Some Barcelona security staff had reportedly inspected luxury restaurants in London in case the player won and a celebration was required. Yamal ultimately chose not to organise anything, particularly as the indications before the ceremony were not pointing towards his victory.

For now, he will continue pursuing the Ballon d’Or through his performances for Barcelona and Spain. He recognises that winning major honours with both teams could prove decisive in achieving his long-term goal.

The London ceremony therefore ended with disappointment, but not abandonment of the dream. Yamal left with the best young player award and a belief that another opportunity will come through what he delivers on the pitch in the years ahead.