Barcelona forward Lamine Yamal has backed himself to win the 2026 Ballon d’Or, insisting that his success with Barcelona and Spain gives him a strong case for the prestigious individual award.
The 19-year-old placed himself alongside Real Madrid forward Kylian Mbappe as the two leading contenders, arguing that his team achievements give him an edge in this year’s race.
“I honestly believe there are two of us who are the best in the world, and this year I’d deserve it because of what I’ve won,” Yamal said in an interview with Spanish broadcaster Movistar Plus+, excerpts of which were released ahead of the full programme.
“As far as I’m concerned, Mbappe and I are the two best in the world. It’s clear to me, and everyone who watches the matches knows it.”
Yamal’s case is built around a highly successful season with both club and country. He was named La Liga’s best player for the 2025-26 campaign after helping Barcelona retain the league title before playing an important role in Spain’s World Cup-winning campaign in North America.
His latest comments mark a more confident position than the one he expressed last week, when he acknowledged having a chance of winning the award but said he would not actively campaign for votes.
Mbappe, meanwhile, has also made a strong case for himself after an outstanding individual campaign. The France captain finished as the leading scorer at the World Cup, in La Liga and in the Champions League.
Mbappe said last week that he did not believe another player had enjoyed a better season than him. He also stressed that the Ballon d’Or is an individual award, even though collective success can influence the race.
The rivalry between the two forwards has already produced major moments on the international stage. Spain defeated France in the World Cup semi-final before going on to lift the trophy.
Yamal finished second behind Ousmane Dembele in last year’s Ballon d’Or voting, while Mbappe previously finished third in 2023, when Lionel Messi won the award for a record eighth time.
Dembele, who helped Paris Saint-Germain retain the Champions League last season, has also publicly backed another PSG player in this year’s Ballon d’Or race.
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The winner of the 2026 Ballon d’Or will be announced at the ceremony in London on October 26, when the debate over Yamal, Mbappe and the other leading contenders will finally be settled.