Yamal: ‘Mbappe and I are the best in the world, but I deserve the Ballon d’Or’

Lamine Yamal says he and Kylian Mbappe are the two best players in the world, but insists he deserves to win the Ballon d’Or after another trophy-laden season with Barcelona.

The teenage winger enjoyed a remarkable campaign as Barcelona lifted the La Liga title, while he also helped Spain win the 2026 World Cup earlier this year.

Mbappe finished as the leading scorer in both competitions but ended the season without a major trophy. The Frenchman’s individual numbers are difficult to ignore.

He bagged 42 goals and seven assists in 44 appearances across all club competitions. He finished as the top scorer in La Liga, the Champions League and the World Cup.

Yamal contributed 24 goals and 18 assists in 45 appearances.

However, the Spain international believes his silverware gives him the edge over his Real Madrid rival in the Ballon d’Or race.

“Mbappe and I are the best in the world, but I deserve the Ballon d’Or,” Yamal said (via Movistar).

The claim is likely to fuel the debate over what should decide this year’s award.

Mbappe’s case rests largely on his extraordinary goalscoring output.

Despite failing to win a major trophy, he consistently delivered at the highest level and ended the campaign as the leading scorer across the biggest competitions.

Yamal can point to a stronger team honours list and his enormous influence at Barcelona despite being just a teenager.

There is also an argument that his World Cup campaign was not spectacular individually, meaning his Ballon d’Or case relies on his overall consistency and Barcelona’s success.

Harry Kane also has a solid case after winning the Bundesliga and delivering a strong World Cup campaign. He helped England finish third.

His club teammate Michael Olise also produced solid numbers across the Bundesliga, Champions League, and World Cup.

Reigning holder Ousmane Dembele had a stellar World Cup and Champions League campaign, but his contribution to Paris Saint-Germain’s Ligue 1 win might push him further down the list.

The 2026 Ballon d’Or awards ceremony is set to take place on Monday, October 26, at the London Palladium Theatre.