Lamine Yamal discusses Ballon d’Or ambitions and playing style

Lamine Yamal, the 19-year-old FC Barcelona and Spain star, has discussed his candidacy for the Ballon d’Or in an extensive interview with L’Équipe. Yamal argues that the prestigious award should reward exceptional players who provide joy to spectators and stand out through their unique playing style, rather than being judged solely on statistics or goal counts.

He cited Lionel Messi and Ronaldinho as examples of players who embody this distinction, noting that they are individuals who make fans smile and tune in specifically to watch them play. Yamal believes his own playing style is his strongest argument for the award. He also emphasized that individual excellence is bolstered by team success, pointing to his recent achievements including La Liga titles and winning the World Cup with the Spanish national team.

Beyond the Ballon d’Or, Yamal expressed high professional ambitions, stating he aims to make history and be remembered as himself rather than a comparison to legends like Pele or Messi. He also shared his commitment to continuous self-improvement, noting his focus on refining skills such as finishing and free kicks to reach the highest possible level of football.