By
Arinze Izik
A week ago, the Ballon d’Or race looked wide open. Seven days later, the picture has changed completely.
Following Kylian Mbappe’s exclusive interview declaring himself the rightful winner and Lamine Yamal quickly making a similar claim, the discussion has now been narrowed to two frontrunners, even though other names are still in the mix.
At Barcelona, the stance is clear — Yamal deserves the prize. The club’s president, vice president and other top officials have publicly backed the teenager, highlighting his exceptional form this season.
Mbappe On Yamal Rivalry
Speaking in an in-depth interview with AS, Real Madrid forward Mbappe opened up about his desire to win the Ballon d’Or for the first time. He argued that his statistics prove he is the best candidate.
When questioned about Yamal as a competitor for the award, Mbappe avoided any war of words and offered only praise.
“I think he is a very talented player and I have the feeling that he will have a great career. I wish him the best,” the France captain said.
A Tight Race To The Finish
Barcelona fell short in the Champions League last season but were dominant at home, winning La Liga and the Spanish Super Cup. Yamal was central to that domestic success, which has cemented his status as one of the world’s top performers.
His case is also strengthened by Spain’s World Cup victory.
The major setback for Yamal, however, was his modest return at the World Cup — just a single goal — with many noting he was not at full fitness after returning from injury.
Mbappe, meanwhile, boasts a strong individual case, but his bid is hampered by the fact he failed to win any major trophy with club or country last season.
With compelling arguments on both sides, the Ballon d’Or decision is shaping up to be one of the closest in recent years, with no clear favourite yet.
