Joao Felix backs Lamine Yamal for Ballon d’Or: ‘He is football’

Portugal and Al Nassr forward Joao Felix has made Lamine Yamal his leading choice to win the Ballon d’Or, saying the Barcelona player is the one who most captures the essence of the game.

Felix remains one of the most prominent names in Portuguese football. He left Benfica at an early age as one of the sport’s most highly rated young talents and has since played for Atletico Madrid, Chelsea, Barcelona and AC Milan in search of the stability needed to develop his performances.

The Portugal international has found greater consistency since joining Al Nassr in the Roshn Saudi Professional League. He has begun to rediscover some of his previous form and is showing glimpses of the quality for which he has long been known.

Felix has made an encouraging start to the season, scoring four goals and providing three assists in seven matches.

He also continues to feature prominently in Portugal manager Jorge Jesus’ plans. In an interview with Spanish newspaper AS, Felix discussed his career and several current issues, including the Ballon d’Or race.

The forward said he was not troubled by being left out of the list of nominees and explained why Yamal would be his choice for the award.

‘I was not worried about being left out’

Asked about his absence from the Ballon d’Or shortlist, Felix said: “These are things that do not depend on me, and I do not know who chooses the list or how it is decided. I was not worried about it, and I did not even know when it was going to be announced. I am calm about it.”

He added: “People see the Saudi league as slightly less valuable than it really is. Of course, it is not among the top five leagues in the world, but it is a good league.

“I had a great season, but I am calm… perhaps if we had gone further at the World Cup, I would have been among the nominees, but I do not know.”

Why Yamal is Felix’s choice

Asked who he believed should win the Ballon d’Or, Felix placed Yamal ahead of the other contenders.

“I have always defended the idea that the Ballon d’Or should go to the player who makes you watch him and think: ‘This is a star and he deserves to have his name immortalised in football,’” he said.

“And if there is a player who makes you sit in front of the television and remain glued to the screen watching him, it is Lamine.

“Mbappe and Harry Kane had great seasons, but Lamine is football.”

Felix also said Yamal’s World Cup success strengthened his case.

“In addition, he won the World Cup, and in World Cup years, winning the tournament is very important when it comes to moving closer to the Ballon d’Or,” he said.