Raphinha backs Lamine Yamal as the leading contender for the 2026 Ballon d’Or

Barcelona forward Raphinha believes team-mate Lamine Yamal has everything required to win the 2026 Ballon d’Or, saying the Spain international is the clear choice for the award.

Journalists selected to vote for the prize have one week remaining to submit their choices to France Football. Yamal is among the leading names in the 30-player shortlist, while Raphinha was not included.

Asked by British newspaper The Guardian and Italian sports newspaper La Gazzetta dello Sport whether Yamal was the ideal candidate to win the Ballon d’Or, Raphinha replied: “Without a doubt, yes.”

The Barcelona captain said individual statistics, team honours and a player’s influence on the pitch should all be considered when deciding the winner.

“I believe winning the Ballon d’Or depends on individual statistics, team titles and the magic the player possesses on the field,” Raphinha said, as reported by Mundo Deportivo. “Charisma and all that. These are the most important factors, and Lamine has them all.”

Yamal produced “amazing numbers” last season and the season before, according to Raphinha, who also pointed to the teenager’s strong start to the current campaign.

“Lamine has put up amazing numbers, not only from last season but also from the one before it,” he said. “And he has made a great start to this season.”

Raphinha also highlighted Yamal’s success with Barcelona and Spain when assessing his Ballon d’Or credentials.

“In terms of titles, Lamine won two out of three with Barcelona, as well as the World Cup with his national team,” Raphinha said.

“He is one of the most important players for Barcelona and the Spanish national team. For me, there is no doubt that he deserves to win the award.”

Raphinha added that his view was not affected by his relationship with Yamal as a team-mate.

“As for what other people say, everyone looks after their own interests, but it is completely clear to me,” he said.

“Even if I were not Lamine’s team-mate, what he does on the pitch, his statistics and the titles he has won would make him the leading candidate for me, and he should win it.”

The Ballon d’Or ceremony will take place in London on 26 October. The deadline for the 100 selected journalists to submit their votes is 28 September.