Lamine Yamal rejects Mbappe-style Ballon d’Or campaign

Lamine Yamal has declined to follow Kylian Mbappe’s public campaign for the 2026 Ballon d’Or, saying the decision should be left to the voters. The Barcelona forward said he was satisfied with his work for both club and country and had no intention of asking for recognition.

Yamal addressed the award debate on Tuesday at a press conference before Barcelona’s Champions League opener against Feyenoord. The 19-year-old said his performances had given him a strong case, but insisted the final outcome was outside his control. His position contrasted with Mbappe’s repeated efforts to promote his own candidacy for the prize.

The Spanish international also brushed aside Ousmane Dembele’s decision not to include him in his personal top three. Dembele, last season’s winner, is a friend of Mbappe, a connection Yamal referenced humorously before making clear that the omission had not affected his mood.

Yamal finished second to Dembele in the previous Ballon d’Or vote after Barcelona’s title-winning campaign. He enters the 2026 race with another Spanish league title and a World Cup triumph with Spain among the achievements supporting his candidacy. The 30-player shortlist was unveiled on Tuesday, with the result to be decided by 100 voters.