'Only fair' if Lamine Yamal wins 2026 Ballon d'Or after 'great season', says Barcelona president Joan Laporta
Updated 12/10/2026 at 15:03 GMT+1
Barcelona president Joan Laporta believes it is "only fair" that Lamine Yamal wins this year's Ballon d'Or after his performances for both club and country. The 19-year-old, who finished second to Paris Saint-Germain's Ousmane Dembele in last year's vote, is among the favourites to win in 2026.
Raphinha's reinvention, Yamal’s stardust, Gordon’s impact - Why Barcelona are flying this season
Video credit: TNT Sports
Yamal helped Barcelona to a second successive La Liga title last season, scoring 24 goals and providing 18 assists in all competitions.
He followed that up with World Cup glory for Spain, though he only netted once in North America over the summer.
Yamal is expected to face competition from Bayern Munich and England striker Harry Kane in the Ballon d'Or voting, while Kylian Mbappe and Lionel Messi are also in the running ahead of the ceremony in London on October 26.
Barca president Laporta says Yamal has the silverware to back up his case for Ballon d'Or glory.
"It's only fair that he wins it," said Laporta.
"He's had a great season and has won some very important titles, such as La Liga and the World Cup. He deserves to win the Ballon d'Or."
Referencing Yamal's recent claim that he would be a deserving winner of football's most prestigious individual award, Laporta added: "That's how he feels, and I think it's great that he's speaking out. He's a very sincere, very straightforward and very young lad. You always have to bear that in mind. I'd be very happy if he won it.
"We'll see how it goes. It's all shrouded in secrecy. We're waiting with bated breath."
Yamal has faced criticism for his self-confident comments, but Laporta issued a reminder that the Barcelona star is still young.
"Lamine is brimming with enthusiasm to express his football when he plays; his merits as a footballer are widely recognised," he said.
"His youth brings with it a certain enthusiasm. I understand that he sometimes lets it show."
- 'Job done' - Ronaldo strikes as Al Nassr fans pay tribute
- Ornstein: Some clubs 'sympathetic' to Man City despite guilty verdict
- Palmer signs new long-term Chelsea deal: 'We win major trophies here'
/origin-imgresizer.tntsports.io/2026/10/12/image-542ea829-56f5-4466-a801-95a84b4be106-85-2560-1440.png)
Kane, Yamal or Messi - who should win the Ballon d'Or? Running the rule over the candidates
Video credit: TNT Sports
Yamal claimed that he and Mbappe are "the best two players" in the world, adding that "anyone who watches the matches knows that".
Asked if there could soon be an individual battle akin to those in the past between Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, Laporta said: "There's a sort of rivalry; it wasn't quite the same with Messi and Cristiano. For me, it always had to be Messi, but they didn't put themselves forward.
"We must not get carried away. It's a human reaction from a 19-year-old lad who's set to make history."
Yamal impressed for Spain during the recent international break, scoring four goals in four UEFA Nations League matches, including the opener against England at Wembley.
And he earned high praise from Barcelona head coach Hansi Flick.
"He will be the best player in the world, if he isn't already. He is right up there, very close," Flick said in his press conference before a La Liga clash with Getafe.
"If he keeps going like this - striving to improve and maintaining this mindset - he'll do wonderfully. He's playing at a fantastic level, including with Spain."
Add TNT Sports as a preferred source here to enjoy more content like this.
The streaming home for TNT Sports in the UK is HBO Max, where fans can enjoy a subscription that includes live sport and entertainment in one destination.
Watch and stream the Premier League, men's and women's FA Cups, UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League, UEFA Conference League and more live with TNT Sports on HBO Max.
Related Topics
Advertisement
Advertisement