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Lamine Yamal Cites Messi Inspiration in Ballon d’Or Bid

Published: September 23, 2026, 2:54 am

Barcelona’s rising star Lamine Yamal has identified club legends Lionel Messi and Ronaldinho as the players who immediately come to mind when he considers the prestigious Ballon d’Or. Reflecting on his own campaign, the teenager maintains that he does not need to lobby for votes, as his performances on the pitch represent his strongest argument for the trophy.

In an interview with France Football, Yamal suggested that the award should recognize the individual who has demonstrated the highest level of play and provided the most entertainment for fans, qualities he believes Messi and Ronaldinho consistently embodied. The young winger, who has previously expressed an ambition to secure multiple Ballon d’Or titles throughout his career, believes his own impact has effectively spoken for itself.

Yamal emphasizes that collective success remains the primary factor for voters. He maintains that winning league titles and performing in major tournaments like the FIFA World Cup should provide a sufficient case for any nominee. During his current breakthrough period, Yamal played a pivotal role in Barcelona’s domestic league campaign while also contributing a goal during his appearance at the FIFA World Cup.