Lamine Yamal says Mbappe his only rival for Ballon d'Or
Lamine Yamal of FC Barcelona celebrates scoring his team’s fourth goal during the UEFA Champions League 2026/27 League Phase MD1 match between FC Barcelona and Feyenoord at Camp Nou on September 09, 2026 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images)
Lamine Yamal said his World Cup success with Spain and winning LaLiga with Barcelona should give him the edge over Real Madrid's Kylian Mbappe in the race for the Ballon d'Or.
France striker Mbappe was the top scorer at the World Cup as well as in LaLiga and the Champions League and said last week no player was better than him last season, though he failed to win any silverware.
Lamine was named LaLiga's best player in 2025-26 as Barcelona successfully defended the title, and later played a key role in Spain winning the World Cup in North America.
He scored twice on Sunday to help Barcelona stay perfect in LaLiga after five matches following a 4-2 win at Levante.
Hansi Flick watched Xavi Espart and Yamal score inside 19 minutes to put the visitors in control before Yamal grabbed a second from the penalty spot four minutes into the second period.
"I honestly believe there are two of us who are the best in the world, and this year I’d deserve it because of what I’ve won," Lamine said in an interview clip shared by Movistar on Sunday.
"As far as I’m concerned, Mbappe and I are the two best in the world. It’s clear to me and everyone who watches the matches knows it."
Lamine was runner-up to Ousmane Dembele last year, while Mbappe was third in 2023, when Lionel Messi won the award for a record eighth time.
The Ballon d'Or will be awarded in London on October 26.
Reuters
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