Ballon d’Or 2026: Mourinho responds to Lamine Yamal’s comments

Real Madrid head coach, Jose Mourinho, has responded to Barcelona winger Lamine Yamal’s recent comments regarding the Ballon d’Or.

Yamal had revealed that he should be considered the outright frontrunner to win this year’s Ballon d’Or.

The Spain international, who was included in the 30-man shortlist for the award, said, “Kylian Mbappe and I, we are the two best players in the world, but I think I’m the one who deserves to win the Ballon d’Or.”

When asked about Yamal’s comments during his pre-match press conference ahead of Real Madrid’s LaLiga clash with Elche on Tuesday, Mourinho remained professional in his response.

“I don’t comment on a player’s statements. I respect everyone’s opinions, but I don’t comment,” Mourinho said.