Barcelona unite behind Lamine Yamal’s Ballon d’Or bid

Barcelona have thrown their full support behind Lamine Yamal’s candidacy for the 2026 Ballon d’Or, with the teenager declaring that his performances this season make him more deserving of the award than rival Kylian Mbappe.

Yamal made the claim during an interview with former Argentina international Jorge Valdano on the programme Universo Valdano, saying he believed he and Mbappe were currently the two best players in the world.

“Who would I give it to? The best player in the world,” said Yamal. “I think there may be two of us who are the best in the world, and this year I deserve it for what I have achieved.

“For me, Mbappe and I are the best in the world. That is completely clear – everyone who watches the matches knows it.”

Spanish journalist Anton Meana said Yamal was openly pursuing the award in a way that differed from previous Barcelona greats.

“Lamine Yamal plays for the Ballon d’Or,” Meana said on Carrusel Deportivo on Cadena SER. “Until a few days ago, the club had not taken an official position on his candidacy, but now there is a consensus – the manager, the president and the sporting director.

“Everyone is saying Lamine Yamal deserves it, and Lamine himself is saying so publicly. He did it at the news conference before a Champions League match and on Valdano’s programme because he wants to play this game.”

Meana contrasted Yamal’s approach with Lionel Messi’s attitude to individual honours.

“Messi did not play to win Ballon d’Or awards; he played to win trophies,” he added. “But Lamine thinks about the Ballon d’Or all the time. It is almost an obsession for him. He wants to win it, he is young, but he wants to win it now – and if possible, this season.”

Meana also compared the debate with the 2010 award. Argentina, led by Messi, were beaten 4-0 by Germany in the World Cup quarter-finals in South Africa, while Spain won the tournament after Andres Iniesta scored the decisive goal in the final. Despite that, Messi won the Ballon d’Or, with Iniesta and Xavi finishing second and third respectively.

“I know this is not the Lamine Yamal who will take part in Euro 2024, but I believe losing the Ballon d’Or this year would be an even greater injustice than losing it in South Africa in 2010,” Meana said.

Yamal’s supporters also point to his success against Mbappe’s teams. He won La Liga, the competition in which Mbappe plays, and helped Spain win the World Cup after France, with Mbappe, were eliminated in the semi-finals.

Analyst Luis Flaquer said team honours could decide the contest.

“If the competition is between Lamine and Mbappe, I think the outcome is settled because team trophies are the deciding factor, and one of the conditions for winning the Ballon d’Or,” he said.

Barcelona journalist Jordi Marti said the club had developed a wider strategy to support Yamal, extending beyond his performances on the pitch.

“Barcelona must act as one entity,” Marti said, adding that winning votes could also be influenced by diplomacy and behind-the-scenes deals in the 10 days before the ceremony.

He said Yamal’s talent was accompanied by “maturity, intelligence, composure, responsibility and commitment”, making a potential Ballon d’Or victory an important strategy for both the player’s brand and Barcelona.