2026 Ballon d’Or: I won’t beg for award – 19 year old Barca star Lamine Yamal
Barcelona winger Lamine Yamal has declared that he will not actively campaign or plead to win the 2026 Ballon d’Or award.
Speaking to reporters on Tuesday ahead of Barcelona's UEFA Champions League clash against Feyenoord, the teenager stated that voters and fans are entitled to their opinions and that individual accolades lie outside his control.
“I don’t think I need to campaign for the Ballon D’Or. Everyone is entitled to think whatever they want,” Yamal said.
“I’m not here to campaign, and I’m not going to beg for anything. That’s your job. It’s not on me.” Yamal emphasized his pride in his performances for both club and country over the past year, attributing any potential recognition to overall team success.
“Winning the Ballon d’Or does not depend on me,” he noted. “The work we’ve done with Barça and the national team has been unbelievable. I’ll be grateful to my teammates at Barça and with the national team if I win it, of course.”
The 2026 Ballon d’Or presentation will take place in London on October 26