YAMAL SAYS HE DESERVES 2026 BALLON D'OR AHEAD OF MBAPPE

Lamine Yamal has said he deserves to win the 2026 Ballon d'Or ahead of Kylian Mbappe, in comments made to Spanish broadcaster Movistar and reported by ESPN. The Barcelona and Spain forward said he believes only two players are competing for the title of best in the world this year. "For me, Mbappé and I are the best in the world. It is clear to me. Everyone who watches the matches knows it," he said. The 70th Ballon d'Or will be presented in October 2026 in London. Ousmane Dembele, who won the 2025 award after Paris Saint-Germain's Champions League victory, is regarded as one of the main contenders to retain it this year.

Yamal scored 24 goals and provided 18 assists in 45 appearances for Barcelona during the 2025/26 season, helping the club win the Supercopa de España and La Liga. He also featured in every match as Spain won the World Cup this summer. Other players mentioned as contenders include Dembele's Paris Saint-Germain teammate Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, Spain's Rodri, and Harry Kane, alongside Mbappe. Barcelona forward Gabriel Jesus, who joined the club from Arsenal this summer, said the award should go to Yamal for making the game look "easy".

Yamal's remarks follow comments he made a week earlier, when he said he would not run a campaign for the award. He said at the time that the outcome "doesn't depend on me, it depends on you," referring to the media, and described Barcelona and Spain's season as "incredible". The October ceremony will determine which of the named contenders receives the trophy. Yamal's case for winning rests on Barcelona's domestic trophies and Spain's World Cup victory this summer.