Lamine Yamal places himself above Mbappé in the race for the 2026 Ballon d'Or

Lamine Yamal is not hiding. At 19 years old, the Barcelona winger scored twice at the Ciutat de València on Sunday to reach six goals in LaLiga, level with Raphinha, Mbappé and Camello at the top of the scoring charts. Hours later, in a preview of his interview on 'Universo Valdano', the Spanish international made his ambition clear: he sees himself as the best player in the world and believes the Ballon d'Or, awarded on 26 October in London, should have his name on it.

• Lamine Yamal scored twice against Valencia and now has six goals in LaLiga, tied with Raphinha, Mbappé and Camello.
• The Barcelona academy product sees himself as the favourite for the Ballon d'Or, ahead of Kylian Mbappé.
• His case rests on winning LaLiga, the Spanish Super Cup and the Club World Cup with Barça, plus the World Cup with Spain.
• The forward admits he was not satisfied with his World Cup performances despite the title and insists he will not slow down.

Lamine Yamal backs himself for the Ballon d'Or: 'I deserve it'

The question was direct and the answer left no room for doubt. Asked who he would hand the award to, Lamine Yamal pointed to the best player on the planet and immediately placed himself in that bracket. At the same time, he admitted he is not alone: Mbappé, his rival at the summit of world football, is the other name he sees with a genuine chance.

Who would I give it to? To the best player in the world. Who will they give it to? Honestly, as the best in the world, I think there might be two of us, me and Mbappé, but I believe this year I deserve it because of what I have won. Everyone who watches the matches knows it.

The trophy cabinet behind Lamine Yamal's Ballon d'Or claim

Last season was the most productive of the young attacker's short career. With Barcelona he lifted LaLiga and the Spanish Super Cup, and he also posted his best scoring numbers to date: 24 goals and 18 assists. Add to that the Club World Cup won with the Spanish national team last summer in the United States, and the campaign looks truly exceptional.

That record, combined with the impact he makes every time he steps on the pitch, is the argument the player himself uses to demand the Ballon d'Or. And he is not alone in making it: both in the dressing room and in the Barcelona boardroom, his candidacy has unanimous backing.

Lamine Yamal's self-criticism after winning the Club World Cup

Despite the title, Lamine Yamal admits he was not entirely happy with his World Cup. The injury he carried is no excuse in his eyes: the player believes he could have offered more and that his level fell short of what he expects from himself.

After winning the World Cup I was not happy. The injury thing is true, but it has nothing to do with it. I know that if the World Cup were played again at another time I would have been at the same level even without the injury. I did many things that people did not see.

The winger explains that his ability to drag defenders and create space was valuable for the team, but that his personal standards do not allow him to settle. He says another player with his output would have had a great tournament, yet he feels he could have done far more. That dissatisfaction, he says, drives him for what comes next.

The hunger of a precocious winner

Having just turned 19, Lamine Yamal has already collected a European Championship, a Club World Cup, three LaLiga titles, two Spanish Super Cups and one Copa del Rey. It is a haul very few footballers have matched at his age. The player himself puts it into perspective by citing legends such as Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo and Diego Maradona, whom he never got to watch live, and points out that only Pelé won as much and as early in the recent history of the game.

Far from easing off, the Barcelona forward insists his ambition remains intact. He knows some people think that after winning so much he could take his foot off the gas, but he is clear that he still has a long way to go to secure his place among the all-time greats.

There are people who think that because I have won at some point I will relax, but I know I have a thousand things to do to remain in football history.

The support behind Lamine Yamal in the Ballon d'Or race

Lamine Yamal's candidacy does not rest on his own merits alone. Inside Barcelona, head coach Hansi Flick, sporting director Deco and president Joan Laporta have all publicly backed the academy graduate. Outside the club, Spain national team coach Luis de la Fuente has also joined those who believe the winger deserves the award.

The Ballon d'Or will be handed out on 26 October in London. The ceremony will put an end to months of debate over who is the best footballer on the planet, a throne Lamine Yamal and Kylian Mbappé are fighting to occupy. If the Barça youngster keeps scoring at this rate and his team keeps responding, his name will grow louder than ever.

Frequently asked questions about Lamine Yamal and the Ballon d'Or