Barcelona star Lamine Yamal has spoken about his ambitions for the future, insisting that he believes he deserves to win the Ballon d'Or after the achievements he has made in recent years.
Despite his young age, Yamal believes his accomplishments have been exceptional. However, he also stressed that he is not satisfied with what he has achieved so far and still has many goals to pursue.
Yamal Reflects on His Achievements at a Young Age
Yamal highlighted the careers of legendary players such as Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, and Diego Maradona.
He believes that very few players have achieved such a remarkable level of success at such a young age. He also pointed to Brazilian legend Pele as an exceptional example from an earlier generation.
Yamal: I Still Have a Lot to Achieve
The Barcelona winger rejected the idea that his early success could make him complacent or cause his level to decline.
Yamal stressed that he remains highly motivated and has many ambitions, with the ultimate goal of leaving a lasting mark on football history.
Yamal Was Not Fully Satisfied With His World Cup Performance
Yamal also discussed his performance at the most recent World Cup, admitting that he was not completely satisfied with the level he displayed during the tournament.
He explained that his World Cup campaign might have been considered an excellent tournament for another player, but he expects more from himself.
The Barcelona star added that he is eagerly looking forward to the next World Cup and wants to deliver an even stronger performance.
Lamine Yamal on the Ballon d'Or
When asked about the Ballon d'Or, Yamal said he believes he deserves to win the prestigious individual award based on the titles and achievements he collected during the previous season.
The young star acknowledged the strength of the competition but maintained that his own accomplishments make him a legitimate candidate for the award.
Yamal: Mbappe and I Are the Best Players in the World
Yamal concluded by naming himself and French superstar Kylian Mbappe as the two best players in the world at present.
Although he recognizes Mbappe's quality and status, Yamal believes that he should be the player who ultimately wins the Ballon d'Or.
2026 Ballon d'Or Nominees
The 2026 Ballon d'Or shortlist features a number of the biggest names in world football.
The nominees include:
- Jude Bellingham.
- Pau Cubarsi.
- Marc Cucurella.
- Ousmane Dembele.
- Luis Diaz.
- Bruno Fernandes.
- Gabriel.
- Erling Haaland.
- Achraf Hakimi.
- Harry Kane.
- Khvicha Kvaratskhelia.
- Lamine Yamal.
- Sadio Mane.
- Marquinhos.
- Lautaro Martinez.
- Kylian Mbappe.
- Nuno Mendes.
- Lionel Messi.
- Joao Neves.
- Michael Olise.
- Willian Pacho.
- Julian Quinones.
- Declan Rice.
- Rodri.
- Fabian Ruiz.
- William Saliba.
- Ferran Torres.
- Dayot Upamecano.
- Vinicius Junior.
- Vitinha.
What did Lamine Yamal say about the Ballon d'Or?
Yamal said he believes he deserves the Ballon d'Or because of the titles and achievements he has earned.
Who does Yamal consider the best players in the world?
He considers himself and Kylian Mbappe to be the two best players in the world.
Was Yamal satisfied with his World Cup performance?
No. He said he was not completely satisfied with his performance despite having a strong tournament by normal standards.
What are Lamine Yamal's ambitions?
He wants to achieve more major accomplishments and establish himself in football history.
Who are among the leading Ballon d'Or nominees in 2026?
The list includes Yamal, Mbappe, Messi, Haaland, Harry Kane, Vinicius Junior, and several other leading stars.
