Lamine Yamal criticizes Ballon d'Or criteria

Barcelona star Lamine Yamal has criticized the current criteria for the Ballon d'Or, arguing that the award should recognize the best individual player rather than the most prolific goalscorer or the player with the most team trophies.

In an interview with Movistar Plus, the 19-year-old stated that the prize loses its value when it is awarded based on statistics like scoring 80 goals, noting that such achievements should be honored with a top scorer award instead. Yamal also addressed the tendency to award the prize based on team success, such as winning the Champions League, suggesting that team trophies belong to the club while the Ballon d'Or should remain strictly individual.

His comments have sparked reactions within the football community. Following a heavy defeat for Barcelona, Union Berlin mockingly referenced Yamal’s comments on social media, highlighting the contrast between his views and the recent dominance of Bayern Munich players like Harry Kane and Michael Olise. Bayern Munich's sporting director, Max Eberl, also responded by stating that the best players are those who do not require promotional campaigns to market themselves.