Lamine Yamal has set out his case for the Ballon d’Or in terms that reach beyond goals, assists and medal counts. The Barcelona forward believes football’s biggest individual prize should belong to the player who makes supporters tune in simply to watch him play.
The Ballon d’Or argument
The Spain international, who won the World Cup with his country this summer and has begun the club campaign strongly with Barcelona, said his style and ability to entertain were the foundations of his candidacy.
For Yamal, the award should identify “the different player” — someone who gives spectators enjoyment and can make a match worth watching for his presence alone.
He pointed to Lionel Messi and Ronaldinho as the standard-bearers for that idea, describing them as players whose football brought a smile to those watching. In his view, that quality matters more than a raw scoring total.
“When I think about the Ballon d’Or, I think about Messi, Ronaldinho and players of that type,” Yamal said. “They are different, and they make you smile when you see them play.”
He added that his own strongest claim was the way he approaches the game: playing freely, enjoying himself and expressing the football he wants to play.
Team success strengthens Yamal’s case
Yamal also recognised that collective results remain central to any individual honour. He said the best player ultimately helps his team win, while success gives every member of a squad a greater platform.
Barcelona’s trophies and Spain’s World Cup have therefore added weight to his personal case. The teenager said he had been fortunate to win numerous honours with his club before lifting what he described as the most important title, the World Cup, with the national side.
“That makes me a good candidate,” he said. “Being a good player is not enough: the best player always makes his team win. When the team wins, everyone is seen more and everyone shines more.”
Spain, he said, have been winning for the past year, while Barcelona are also on a successful run. Yamal said the group want to keep that momentum going and that he is personally happy with his current position.
