Lamine Yamal hits Pichichi form and closes in on the Ballon d'Or

Lamine Yamal keeps proving that his Ballon d'Or candidacy does not depend on speeches or campaigns: it depends on what he does on the pitch. In FC Barcelona's win over Levante at the Ciutat de València, the Rocafonda winger scored a brace and moved to the top of the LaLiga scoring charts with six goals, level with teammate Raphinha, Kylian Mbappé and Sergio Camello. His match-winning performance earned him the MVP award and confirmed a spectacular start to the season.

• Lamine Yamal has six goals in six LaLiga matchdays and shares the Pichichi lead with Raphinha, Mbappé and Camello.
• Raphinha handed him the penalty for the 3-0 goal despite having the chance to take the lead alone in the scoring race.
• The Barcelona attacker has seven goals in seven official matches, including one in the Champions League.
• He was named MVP of the match and was substituted in the 66th minute to get some rest.
• The Ballon d'Or, handed out on 26 October in London, is looking closer and closer for the Spanish winger.

Lamine Yamal's brace against Levante that puts him on top of the Pichichi race

The game in Valencia started on the right foot for the Catalan side. Xavi Espart put Barcelona ahead in the 5th minute, but the partnership that is changing games this season still had work to do. Raphinha and Lamine Yamal combined for the 2-0 in a move that began inside their own box. Pau Cubarsí broke the first line of pressure with a vertical pass to Fermín, who quickly released the Brazilian into space.

Raphinha brought the ball down with a superb first touch, dribbled past the goalkeeper and, with no angle left to shoot, cut the ball back. Lamine Yamal was there to tap it in with ease. That goal was his sixth of the season across all competitions: five in LaLiga and one in the Champions League. The connection between the two forwards is driving Barcelona's attack.

Raphinha's penalty gift confirms the chemistry between both forwards

Right after the restart, Lamine claimed a penalty for a handball by Mandi on the ground. The referee did not point to the spot, but the Barça player chased the ball and Mandi, already back on his feet, fouled him from behind. This time there was no doubt. The penalty gave Raphinha the chance to move alone at the top of the scoring table, but the Brazilian decided to pass the responsibility to his teammate.

You take it, Raphinha told Lamine Yamal, as television cameras captured during the match.

Lamine accepted the challenge and converted the spot kick with his left foot, placing it to Ryan's right. The Levante goalkeeper could not even get close. That goal made it 3-0, delivered his sixth LaLiga goal of the season and confirmed that Barcelona's front line also works when it comes to generous gestures. After the show, Hansi Flick decided to give him a rest and replaced him with Dani Olmo in the 66th minute.

Seven goals in seven official matches for the Spanish winger

With the brace in Valencia, Lamine Yamal now has seven goals in seven official matches this season. Alongside his six league goals, he has also scored once in the Champions League. Last year he finished with 24 goals and 18 assists across all competitions, the best numbers of his career, and played a key role in Barcelona's LaLiga and Supercopa triumphs, as well as winning the World Cup with Spain.

That sustained level earned him a place among the 30 nominees for the Ballon d'Or. The award will be handed out on Monday 26 October in London and Lamine's league start keeps adding weight to his case. Against Levante he did not need to make any claims with words: his football spoke for itself.

Raphinha, the perfect partner who also demands a place in the Ballon d'Or conversation

Raphinha is not included among the 30 Ballon d'Or nominees, an absence that many around Barcelona consider unfair. The Brazilian has already scored eight goals this season across LaLiga and the Champions League, one more than Lamine in all competitions. He also adds two assists, both of them recorded in the match against Feyenoord.

Against Levante he showed once again that his impact goes far beyond scoring. His play in the 2-0 goal was a display of technical quality and his gesture of handing the penalty to Lamine says a lot about the atmosphere in the dressing room. Barça is flying and two of its arrows have a name and a surname.

What is at stake for Lamine Yamal at the London gala

The 2024 Ballon d'Or will be presented on Monday 26 October in London. Lamine Yamal arrives with a brilliant previous season in both team and individual terms: league champion, Supercopa champion and world champion with Spain. His 24 goals and 18 assists laid the foundation for a campaign that established him among the best players on the planet.

The start of the 2025-26 campaign only confirms that progression. Six goals in six LaLiga matchdays, seven in seven official matches and decisive performances every single week. If he keeps up this pace, the most prestigious individual award in world football could have a Spanish and Barcelona name.