Barcelona forward Lamine Yamal has refused to join the growing debate over who deserves the 2026 Ballon d’Or, insisting he is satisfied with what he has achieved for club and country.
The 19-year-old was nominated for the prestigious award after helping Spain win the World Cup and Barcelona retain the La Liga title. However, Yamal said he would leave the decision to voters rather than campaign for recognition.
“I don’t think I need to (make a campaign for it), I’m not thinking about what I deserve, everyone can think what they like,” Yamal told reporters.
“I’m proud of everything I’ve done this year with my club and with the national team. We’ve become world champions, we’ve won the league again. I can’t ask for anything more.
“I think… I’ve shown an incredible level, it’s (the media’s) job and I will not beg for anything.”
Yamal finished second in last year’s Ballon d’Or voting behind Paris Saint-Germain forward Ousmane Dembele. This year, he faces competition from Dembele, Kylian Mbappe, Harry Kane and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia.
Mbappe strengthened his own case on Monday by pointing to his World Cup Golden Boot, which also made him the tournament’s all-time leading goalscorer.
Dembele, meanwhile, recently selected Kvaratskhelia, Kane and Mbappe as his preferred top three when asked by France Football who should win the award.
Yamal responded jokingly when told of his former Barcelona teammate’s choices.
“He’s a friend of Kylian, right?” Yamal joked.
“The truth is I don’t care, I’m very happy with the year I had, when I played against both of them together I must have annoyed them.”
The Barcelona winger’s season has not been without difficulties. A hamstring injury suffered in April disrupted his campaign, while his form and mood appeared subdued at the beginning of the new season.
However, Yamal has rediscovered his spark in recent matches, scoring against both Rayo Vallecano and Valencia.
“In the end, I’m 19, coming off winning a World Cup, having had the best holidays of my life,” he said. “I’ve never been happier at any point in my life than I am now.”
With individual honours taking a back seat, Yamal has already identified Barcelona’s Champions League campaign as a major target. The Catalan giants begin their European campaign against Feyenoord on Wednesday, hoping to win the competition for the first time since 2015.
Coach Hansi Flick has backed the youngster to make an impact, praising his ability to decide matches and, above all, his enjoyment of football.
“Lamine is a player who can decide games on his own, fantastic quality,” Flick said.
“For me the best thing is that he enjoys this game and then he’s on a top level.”
Yamal is also favourite to claim a third consecutive Best Young Player award at the Ballon d’Or ceremony in London on October 26.
