Joao Félix picks Lamine Yamal for the Ballon d'Or: "You turn on the TV and can't stop watching him"

A new Ballon d'Or winner will be crowned in just over a month, and the race between Lamine Yamal, Harry Kane and Kylian Mbappé is already dividing opinion across football. Joao Félix has joined the conversation with a firm pick, making it clear that he believes the award should head to Barcelona and land in the hands of the teenage winger.

• Joao Félix names Lamine Yamal as his choice for the 2024 Ballon d'Or.
• He credits Mbappé and Kane for excellent seasons but places the Barcelona star above them.
• The Portuguese points to Yamal's World Cup triumph as a decisive factor.
• He is relaxed about being left off the list of candidates.
• Félix defends the level of the Saudi Pro League and his own Al Nassr season.

Joao Félix explains what the Ballon d'Or means and who deserves it

Speaking in an interview with Spanish newspaper AS, Félix spelled out how he understands the most prestigious individual prize in football. In his view, the Ballon d'Or is about more than silverware: it is about that rare player who makes an unforgettable impression. "I always defended that the Ballon d'Or is for that player you look at and say: 'This is a star and he deserves to be remembered in football'," the forward began.

For Félix, Lamine Yamal fits that description perfectly. "If there is a player who makes you turn on the TV and you just can't stop watching him play, that is Lamine," said the Al Nassr man, describing the Barcelona academy product as a talent who captivates any fan.

Why Lamine Yamal edges Mbappé and Kane in Félix's eyes

Joao Félix did not dismiss what Kylian Mbappé and Harry Kane achieved this season. In fact, he acknowledged that both delivered highly impressive campaigns. Still, the Portuguese placed Lamine Yamal in a category of his own with a direct assessment: "It's true that Mbappé and Harry Kane had a great season, but Lamine is pure football."

The Barcelona winger also carries an argument Félix considers crucial: a World Cup winner's medal. "He won the World Cup, and in World Cup years winning it is always very important to get closer to the Ballon d'Or," the former Atlético Madrid man noted, highlighting how success at a major international tournament can swing votes.

Félix stays calm after missing out on the Ballon d'Or shortlist

Those are not things that depend on me. I don't know who picks it or not. I wasn't worried about it. I didn't even know when the list came out. I'm relaxed about it.

The Al Nassr striker also discussed being left off the list of Ballon d'Or contenders. Far from sounding frustrated, Félix made it clear that being shortlisted or not has never been an obsession for him. His focus remains on what he can control on the pitch rather than decisions made by others.

Asked whether a strong season in Saudi Arabia could have pushed him into contention, the Portuguese admitted he delivered a high level of play for his club but pointed to another factor that could have changed things: "Maybe if we had gone far in the World Cup, I could be there, but I don't know," he said without drama.

Félix stands up for the Saudi league and his Al Nassr campaign

The forward also took time to defend the competition in Saudi Arabia, which he believes does not get the credit it deserves. "People see the Saudi league as a bit undervalued. Of course it's not top-five, but it is a good league," Félix argued, admitting the Pro League still has ground to make up on Europe's elite divisions but offers genuine quality.

He stood by his season with Al Nassr, saying he produced a more than solid year. Even so, Félix keeps a relaxed mindset: he is happy with his work and refuses to fixate on individual awards that depend on criteria outside his control.

Ballon d'Or favorites and Joao Félix's pick: your questions answered