Raphinha backs Lamine Yamal for Ballon d’Or as Mbappe makes Real Madrid claim

Raphinha has named Barcelona team-mate Lamine Yamal as his choice to win the 2026 Ballon d’Or, issuing his endorsement shortly after Kylian Mbappe said he believed he deserved the award.

The Brazilian, who was not included on the 30-player shortlist, responded to a post by Yamal on Instagram after Barcelona’s 7-2 victory over Racing de Santander.

Yamal had shared a photograph of himself lying on the pitch during the match, reflecting the effort made by Barcelona’s players in a game in which they created 30 chances.

Raphinha replied with a brief but emphatic message: “You are a phenomenon… you are my Ballon d’Or choice.”

His support is shared by several senior figures at Barcelona. Yamal has also received backing from the club’s dressing room, head coach Hansi Flick, president Joan Laporta and vice-president Rafa Yuste, who have previously declared their support for the teenager’s candidacy.

Yamal is aiming to become the youngest player to win the prestigious award since its creation. The winner will be announced at a ceremony in London on 26 October, with considerable debate continuing over who will claim the prize.

Raphinha’s comments came as Mbappe, the Real Madrid forward, again made the case for his own selection.

Speaking to AS on Thursday, Mbappe said: “I think this year is right for me to win the Ballon d’Or. The best evidence is my feet. However much I talk, the most important thing for me is that the Ballon d’Or returns to Real Madrid.

“It must return to the Bernabeu, to the people of Madrid, to bring happiness back to all of them. They deserve it more than anyone else.”

Mbappe has said on more than one occasion that he should receive the award this season, arguing that no player has performed better than him during the year.

Raphinha’s hat-trick moves him ahead

Raphinha’s backing of Yamal comes as both players enjoy an exceptional start to the campaign and establish themselves as Barcelona’s leading attacking threats under Flick.

After six rounds of La Liga, Raphinha has scored nine goals and Yamal has seven, giving the pair 16 between them.

It is the first time in 86 years that a Barcelona duo have reached that total during the opening six matches of the Spanish league season.

Raphinha took centre stage against Racing de Santander by scoring a hat-trick, moving to nine goals in six games. That matched Lionel Messi’s tally over the same period of the 2017-18 season.

Yamal also scored in Barcelona’s seven-goal performance, taking his league total to seven.