Archive · 14 Sep 2026
Lamine Yamal Claims Ballon d’Or Edge Over Kylian Mbappé
Lamine Yamal and Kylian Mbappé are competing for a major football award.
Yamal believes he should win because he collected important trophies.
He helped Spain win the World Cup.
He also helped Barcelona win LaLiga.
Mbappé scored more goals than anyone else at several major competitions.
However, his team did not win a trophy last season.
Yamal said he and Mbappé are the two best players in the world.
The Ballon d’Or winner will be announced in London on October 26.
Lamine Yamal said his World Cup and LaLiga wins give him an advantage over Kylian Mbappé.
Yamal helped Spain win the World Cup and FC Barcelona retain the LaLiga title.
Kylian Mbappé was the leading scorer at the World Cup, LaLiga and Champions League.
Mbappé said no player was better than him last season, but he won no silverware.
The Ballon d’Or ceremony is scheduled for October 26 in London.
- Who
- Lamine Yamal and Kylian Mbappé are the leading players discussed in the Ballon d’Or race.
- What
- Yamal claimed that his World Cup and LaLiga victories give him an edge over Mbappé.
- When
- Yamal made the comments in an interview clip shared on Sunday; the award ceremony is scheduled for October 26.
- Where
- Yamal’s World Cup victory came in North America, and the Ballon d’Or ceremony will take place in London.
- Why
- Yamal believes his trophies give him a stronger case, while Mbappé’s case is based heavily on his scoring record.
Yamal’s case
Mbappé’s case
Trophies versus individual performance
Yamal’s case
Yamal says winning the World Cup with Spain and LaLiga with FC Barcelona should give him the edge.
Mbappé’s case
Mbappé’s case is strengthened by being the leading scorer at the World Cup, LaLiga and Champions League.
Best player claim
Yamal’s case
Yamal said he and Mbappé are the two best players in the world and that he deserves the award because of what he won.
Mbappé’s case
Mbappé said no player was better than him last season, despite failing to win silverware.
- Award
- Ballon d’Or
- Ceremony date
- October 26
- Ceremony location
- London
- Yamal’s achievements
- World Cup winner with Spain and LaLiga winner with FC Barcelona
- Mbappé’s scoring record
- Top scorer at the World Cup, LaLiga and Champions League
- Previous rankings
- Yamal was runner-up last year; Mbappé was third in 2023
- Previous winner
- Lionel Messi won the award in 2023 for a record eighth time