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Lamine Yamal Says He Won’t Campaign for 2026 Ballon d’Or
Barcelona wonderkid Lamine Yamal says he will not campaign for the 2026 Ballon d’Or, insisting the award should be decided by voters and fans.
Barcelona winger Lamine Yamal has stated that he will not actively campaign or plead to win the 2026 Ballon d’Or award.
Speaking to reporters ahead of Barcelona’s UEFA Champions League match against Feyenoord, the young player said that voters and fans have the right to their own opinions and that individual awards are beyond his control.
“I don’t think I need to campaign for the Ballon d’Or. Everyone can think what they want,” Yamal said. “I’m not here to campaign or beg for anything. That’s someone else’s role, not mine.”
Yamal expressed pride in his performances for both Barcelona and the national team over the past year, noting that any recognition would be a reflection of the team’s collective effort.
“Winning the Ballon d’Or doesn’t depend solely on me,” he added. “The work we’ve done with Barça and the national team has been incredible. If I win, I’ll be thankful to my teammates at both clubs.”
The 2026 Ballon d’Or ceremony is scheduled to take place in London on October 26.