Lamine Yamal says he deserves Ballon d'Or over Kylian Mbappe after World Cup win

Lamine Yamal has backed himself to win the Ballon d'Or, pointing to his trophy success with Barcelona and Spain. The teenager faces strong competition from Kylian Mbappe, who enjoyed a prolific individual season.

In Short

• Lamine Yamal believes he should win the Ballon d'Or
• Yamal reckons Kylian Mbappe is his only rival to the award
• Both men had strong seasons for club and country

Lamine Yamal has backed himself to win the Ballon d'Or, insisting his achievements with Barcelona and Spain make him deserving of football's most prestigious individual award.

The Ballon d'Or ceremony will be held in London on October 26, with Yamal entering the race after another exceptional season for both club and country. The Barcelona forward believes his trophy haul gives him an advantage over Real Madrid star Kylian Mbappe, who enjoyed a remarkable individual campaign but failed to win silverware.

Yamal, now 19, was one of the standout performers for Barcelona throughout the season. He finished the campaign with 24 goals and 18 assists across competitions, playing a key role as the Catalan giants secured La Liga and the Spanish Super Cup. Barcelona also reached the quarter-finals of the UEFA Champions League, with Yamal among their most influential players.

His performances in the domestic league were particularly impressive, earning him the honour of being named the competition's best player. His consistency, creativity and ability to produce decisive moments further strengthened his credentials for the Ballon d'Or.

TROPHY HAUL MATTERS

While Yamal's numbers for Barcelona were impressive, it is his success with Spain that he believes could ultimately separate him from Mbappe in the Ballon d'Or race.

The teenager helped Spain win the FIFA World Cup, with the European champions defeating defending champions Argentina in the final. Yamal's individual contribution was more modest than his club output, with his only goal of the tournament coming during the group-stage fixture against Saudi Arabia.

However, Yamal believes collective success should carry significant weight when deciding the winner of the award.

"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 clip shared by Movistar on Sunday.

"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 finished second in last year's Ballon d'Or voting behind Ousmane Dembele. Mbappe, meanwhile, finished third in 2023, when Lionel Messi claimed the award for a record eighth time.

MBAPPE'S NUMBERS

Mbappe's case is built largely around his extraordinary individual numbers. The France captain scored 42 goals and registered seven assists for Real Madrid during the season, establishing himself as one of the most prolific forwards in world football.

Despite his remarkable output, however, Mbappe was unable to guide Real Madrid to a major trophy. That lack of silverware could prove significant as voters weigh his individual brilliance against Yamal's success with Barcelona and Spain.

Mbappe was also the leading scorer at the FIFA World Cup, winning the Golden Boot after scoring 10 goals and providing four assists. France reached the semi-finals but were eliminated by Spain, who went on to lift the trophy.

The Ballon d'Or race therefore presents a compelling contrast between two of the world's brightest young stars. Yamal can point to major trophies and his influence in successful teams, while Mbappe has the stronger individual statistics.

With Yamal representing Barcelona and Mbappe leading Real Madrid, the two could now go head-to-head for football's biggest individual prize when the Ballon d'Or is awarded in London on October 26.

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