Ballon d’Or 2026: Why Yamal should not win award – Matthäus

Bayern Munich legend, Lothar Matthäus, has given a reason why Barcelona’s Lamine Yamal should not win the 2026 Ballon d’Or.

Yamal is among the top contenders to win the Ballon d’Or after he was nominated among 30 players to compete for the prestigious individual prize.

However, Matthäus, a former Ballon d’Or winner, believes it is not Yamal’s year to win the award because he hasn’t quite reached the level he had in the past, despite winning the World Cup and LaLiga title.

Speaking on why Yamal should not win the Ballon d’Or, Matthäus said, as captured by @iMiaSanMia: “He’s an exceptional player, but despite the major success, it wasn’t Lamine Yamal’s year.

“He was one of many in Spain’s World Cup campaign and hasn’t quite reached the level he had in the past, and that he has again this season.

“That doesn’t mean he has no chance in the vote. He has everything it takes to be a Ballon d’Or winner. I believe that titles play a decisive role, which is why I see his chances as better than those of Mbappe, who hasn’t won anything this year with Real Madrid or France.”