RismadarVoice Reporters
September 23, 2026
Barcelona forward Lamine Yamal has argued that the Ballon d’Or should not be determined solely by the number of goals a player scores, but also by the joy and excitement they bring to football fans.
Yamal made the remarks in an interview with L’Equipe as he remains among the contenders for this year’s prestigious individual award, having finished second to Ousmane Dembélé in the previous edition.
The 19-year-old is competing for the prize alongside Dembélé, Real Madrid forward Kylian Mbappé and Bayern Munich striker Harry Kane.
The Ballon d’Or winner is scheduled to be announced at a ceremony in London on October 26.
Yamal said the presence of several strong contenders had made the race more open and generated considerable debate, adding that the final decision would be made by journalists.
“It’s fun that there are more players up for the prize, more debate and people can have different opinions,” Yamal told L’Equipe.
“At the end of the day, it comes down to the journalists. It’s a difficult job for them. We all have good arguments to win it. We are all great players, so let’s see.”
Explaining his view of the award, Yamal said the Ballon d’Or should recognise players who possess a special quality that makes football enjoyable to watch.
“The Ballon d’Or is for the best player of the year, someone different, someone we have enjoyed watching, who has that magic, makes you smile and look forward to watching games just to see them play.
“It’s not to do with the sheer number of goals. When I think of the Ballon d’Or, I think of Messi, Ronaldinho — different players, players that make you dream.”
Kane scored 61 goals for Bayern Munich last season as the club won the Bundesliga, while Mbappé netted 42 goals for Real Madrid despite ending the campaign without a major team trophy.
Yamal scored 24 goals, while Dembélé registered 20 for Paris Saint-Germain, who won the Champions League.
The Barcelona forward also pointed to his playing style and achievements with Spain and Barcelona as factors he believes strengthen his claim for the award.
“On the pitch I enjoy myself. I have also been lucky enough to win a lot of trophies with Barcelona.
“And I won the biggest trophy of them all, the World Cup with my national team. But beyond all that, I think the way I play is the strongest argument and what makes me different.”
Yamal said winning the Ballon d’Or remains one of his ambitions but stressed that he does not view the award as an obsession.
“Yes, I dream of winning the Ballon d’Or. I always say that everyone has to aim as high as possible. If I were a waiter, I would want to own the restaurant.
“I play to make history, so that in 30 years kids say: ‘He was really good.’ But it’s not an obsession. I never think ‘I want to be better than Pele or Messi.’ I don’t want to compare myself with others.
“I want to be Lamine Yamal. I want to be remembered as Lamine Yamal. I hope to be remembered among the greats. I have the capacity to do it; it depends on me.”
Meanwhile, Kane’s Bayern Munich teammate Luis Díaz backed the England international for the award.
Speaking to ESPN, Díaz praised Kane’s goalscoring ability, mentality and performances in training.
“I already knew he scored loads of goals, but training with him every day, seeing his mentality, he has dazzled me even more,” Díaz said.
“It’s difficult to sum him up in one word. Brutal, maybe… magnificent. For me, it’s hard to find the perfect word to describe him.
“For me, he’s the No.1 candidate to win the Ballon d’Or. I hope he wins it.”
