2026 Ballon d’Or: Lamine Yamal Names Player To Challenge Him For Award

Barcelona winger Lamine Yamal has identified Real Madrid forward Kylian Mbappe as the player challenging him for the 2026 Ballon d’Or award.

Speaking in an interview with Movistar, Yamal claimed that he and Mbappe are currently the two best players in the world but insisted that he deserves to win the prestigious individual award.

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“Kylian Mbappe and I, we are the two best in the world.

“But I think I am the one who deserves to win the Ballon d’Or,” Yamal said.

Both Yamal and Mbappe are among the 30 players shortlisted for this year’s Ballon d’Or.

Yamal had a successful year, winning the LaLiga, Copa del Rey and World Cup titles.

Mbappe, meanwhile, emerged as the top scorer in the Champions League, LaLiga and World Cup.