Lamine Yamal says he will not campaign for the Ballon d’Or after a trophy-filled year with Barcelona and Spain.
The 19-year-old winger won the World Cup with Spain and another La Liga title with Barcelona. He also finished second in last year’s Ballon d’Or voting behind Paris Saint-Germain forward Ousmane Dembélé.
Yamal believes his performances should decide whether he deserves the prize.
“I don’t think I need to (make a campaign for it), I’m not thinking about what I deserve, everyone can think what they like,” Yamal told reporters.
“I’m proud of everything I’ve done this year with my club and with the national team. We’ve become world champions, we’ve won the league again. I can’t ask for anything more.
“I think… I’ve shown an incredible level, it’s (the media’s) job and I will not beg for anything.”
Yamal features among the 30 nominees for the 2026 Ballon d’Or. Harry Kane, Kylian Mbappe, Lionel Messi, Dembele and Erling Haaland also made the list, while Cristiano Ronaldo missed out.
Mbappe strengthened his own case on Monday after winning the World Cup Golden Boot with France. The Real Madrid forward also became the tournament’s all-time leading goalscorer.
Yamal, however, insists he has no reason to worry about the debate.
Dembele recently named Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, Kane and Mbappe in his preferred top three. Yamal responded with a smile when reporters mentioned Dembele’s choices.
“He’s a friend of Kylian, right?” Yamal joked.
“The truth is I don’t care, I’m very happy with the year I had, when I played against both of them together I must have annoyed them.”
Spain beat France 2-0 in the World Cup semi-final before lifting the trophy. Yamal played a key role in Spain’s run and added another major honour to his collection.
The winger also endured a difficult spell earlier this year after suffering a hamstring injury in April. He has since returned to his best level and scored in recent wins over Rayo Vallecano and Valencia.
“In the end, I’m 19, coming off winning a World Cup, having had the best holidays of my life,” Yamal said.
“I’ve never been happier at any point in my life than I am now.”
Barcelona now have another target. Yamal wants the Champions League.
The Catalan club last won Europe’s biggest prize in 2015 with Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Neymar leading the attack. Barcelona reached the semi-finals in 2025 before exiting in the quarter-finals last season.
“This is the best competition,” said coach Hansi Flick. “We have the quality to win this, but there’s a long way to go.”
Flick also backed Yamal to keep improving.
“Lamine is a player who can decide games on his own, fantastic quality,” he said.
“For me the best thing is that he enjoys this game and then he’s on a top level.”
Yamal will also chase a third straight Kopa Trophy at the Ballon d’Or ceremony in London on October 26.
