‘I’d deserve it’ – Spanish-Moroccan Lamine Yamal makes bold 2026 Ballon d’Or claim

Lamine Yamal believes his achievements with Barcelona and Spain make him deserving of the 2026 Ballon d’Or, as the teenage winger boldly put himself alongside Kylian Mbappe as the two best players in the world.

The 19-year-old has emerged as one of the leading contenders for football’s most prestigious individual prize after a trophy-laden year at club and international level.

Speaking to Movistar Plus, Yamal made no attempt to hide his belief that he has done enough to win the award.

“For me, Mbappe and me, we’re the two best players in the world,” he said.

“I honestly think that, as the best in the world, maybe there are two of us, and this year I would deserve it because of what I’ve won.”

Yamal points to trophy haul

Yamal played a key role as Barcelona retained the La Liga title before helping Spain win the World Cup this summer.

Those successes have strengthened his case for the Ballon d’Or, with the teenager now arguing that his contribution to both campaigns should put him at the front of the race.

His latest comments come after he adopted a more cautious approach last week when asked about his chances of winning the award.

At a press conference on Tuesday, Yamal said he believed he had a chance following what he described as an “incredible” season, while insisting he would not plead for votes.

The Barcelona winger has now taken a more emphatic position, openly declaring that his performances and silverware merit recognition.

Mbappe, Dembele and Kane in contention

Mbappe remains one of Yamal’s strongest rivals for the award and has also built a compelling case over the past year.

The France captain finished as the leading scorer in La Liga, the Champions League and the World Cup, despite Real Madrid ending the campaign without a major trophy.

Yamal’s Barcelona and Spain teammate Ousmane Dembele, who won the 2025 Ballon d’Or, has backed another Paris Saint-Germain player to retain the prize after the French club successfully defended their Champions League title.

Bayern Munich striker and England international Harry Kane is also among the leading candidates.

The 2026 Ballon d’Or will be awarded in London on October 26, with Yamal’s trophy haul, individual performances and growing influence ensuring his claim will be closely scrutinised before the winner is announced.