Nineteen years old, and no interest in false modesty
“Mbappe and I are the two best players in the world, for me. That’s very clear, and anyone who watches the games knows it. Now I think I deserve the Ballon d’Or this year for what I’ve won.”
That is Lamine Yamal, in a clip Movistar Plus aired on Sunday night. The full interview lands on September 18.
He is the third voice in a week of jostling. Kylian Mbappe went first. Ousmane Dembele responded publicly on Sunday evening. Now the Barcelona forward has put his own name on the table, and he did not soften it.
Try it for $0.99.
Twenty-four goals, eighteen assists, one awkward caveat
The case is built on 2025-2026: 24 goals, 18 assists, Liga player of the year. At 19 the Barca No 10 has stacked up team honours that most players never see by 25.
Then comes the part that complicates his own argument. The World Cup was meant to settle this race, and it left him cold. He said so himself.
“I was not happy: after winning the World Cup, I was not happy. I think the injuries really played a role.” He went on to make the case that a coach values a forward who drags three defenders with him wherever he goes. He is already looking ahead to 2030.
Three profiles, one trophy, no obvious winner
Fitness problems chopped up his previous season, which explains some of that frustration. He has started 2026-2027 well. None of that counts for an award decided on last season’s work.
Mbappe and Dembele have no intention of getting out of the way. Voters are being asked to weigh a World Cup win that came without a signature individual performance against two extremely polished club campaigns.
Dembele has said his piece. Mbappe has said his. Yamal just said his on national television, three weeks before anyone votes.
Discover the rest of the FOOT news on our website and mathodds app!
in your pocket.
Real-time notifications & alerts
Leave a Reply