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Lamine Yamal positions himself as a contender for the Ballon d'Or against Mbappé

Lamine Yamal discusses his Ballon d'Or candidacy in an interview, highlighting Kylian Mbappé as his main competitor.

17 September 2026Tagblick Newsdesk

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Archive photo: Lamine Yamal positions himself as a contender for the Ballon d'Or against Mbappé — Archive photoPhoto: Biso · Wikimedia Commons · CC BY 4.0

Lamine Yamal, forward for FC Barcelona, has expressed his ambition to win the Ballon d'Or this year, claiming he deserves it more than his competitor Kylian Mbappé from Real Madrid. In an interview set to air on the show 'Universo Valdano' on September 18, Yamal emphasized that both he and Mbappé are the best players in the world.

Yamal, who recently became a world champion with the Spanish national team, has matched the six goals scored in the league by Raphinha, Mbappé, and Camello, placing him as the Pichichi of La Liga. His performance on the field has been remarkable and is one of the factors he argues in favor of his candidacy for the award to be presented on October 26 in London.

In his statements, Lamine mentions that the titles gained with both the national team and the club should count in his favor in the race for the Ballon d'Or. He believes that his contributions and achievements this season are deserving of recognition, further solidifying his position as a favorite for the prize.

The competition between both players has generated significant interest from the media. Various sources have reported that the race for the Ballon d'Or has become intense, with both players highlighting their merits and individual accomplishments. The media attention has also led other players to weigh in on the matter, creating a competitive atmosphere around them.

Additionally, in a similar vein, Medhi Benatia, former sports director and current commentator, shared his opinion on Mbappé's comments, underscoring that both footballers deserve to be in the discussion for the Ballon d'Or. His remarks highlight how both have excelled in their respective clubs and national teams in recent years.

The Ballon d'Or ceremony is one of the most anticipated events in the football world, and the rivalry between Lamine Yamal and Kylian Mbappé adds an extra layer of excitement to this edition. While Yamal remains confident about his chances, public opinion and expert analyses will continue to debate who has the most merit to lift the prestigious award.

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