“Lamine Yamal: I deserve the 2026 Ballon d’Or — Mbappé and I are the two best in the world”

Barcelona winger Lamine Yamal has said he should win the 2026 Ballon d’Or and believes he and Kylian Mbappe are the two best footballers in the world right now.

Yamal is understood to be in contention to win the Ballon d’Or next month after another exceptional season for Barcelona and Spain.

The 19-year-old was namedLa Liga Player of the Season as Barcelona won the title, and was part of the Spain squad that won the 2026 World Cup, despite a pre-tournament injury impacting his influence.

Yamal finished as runner-up to Ousmane Dembele for last year’s Ballon d’Or, but could still become the youngest-ever recipient of the accolade at October’s ceremony.

Discussing the Ballon d’Or, Yamal said he thinks he deserves the 2026 title and believes he and Real Madrid superstar Mbappe are the two best talents in the game right now.

“Kylian Mbappé and I, we are the two best in the world,” Yamal toldMovistar.

“But I think I am the one who deserves to win the Ballon d’Or. I believe I deserve this Ballon d’Or, because of the titles I have won and achieved last season. That’s my view.”

“I’ve won more this young than anyone”: Yamal makes bold case for 2026 Ballon d’Or glory

Yamal’s incredible rise has seen the 19-year-old already win three La Liga titles, the European Championship, and the World Cup before leaving his teens.

The Spaniard said he believes he has achieved more at a young age than any great player in history, but insisted his hunger to make his mark in football history remains as strong as ever.

“There are great players like Messi, Cristiano and Maradona, but I think it’s never happened before that someone has won so much at such an early age.

“There was Pelé, but in recent times, never, I think. People have this mindset that because I’ve won, maybe I’ll relax with my career at some point, but no.

“I know I have a thousand things to do to stay in football history.”