“It’s about joy, not numbers”: Yamal challenges goal obsession as he bids to become youngest-ever Ballon d’Or winner
· Yahoo Sports
Lamine Yamal has said the Ballon d'Or should be won by the footballer who most excites fans and not be judged on goals scored.
Yamal is among the contenders for the 2026 Ballon d'Or which will be announced next month at a 70-year anniversary ceremony in London.
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The 19-year-old finished as runner-up for last year's award, and could become the youngest-ever winner in 2026, after winning La Liga withBarcelona and the World Cup with Spain.
Harry Kane and Kylian Mbappe are also considered frontrunners after prolific campaigns for club and country, but Yamal questioned whether the Ballon d'Or should be judged by statistics.
He said the award should be handed to the best footballer, based on how their football impacts the fans.
Lamine Yamal reignites Ballon d’Or debate: calls for artistry to trump goals as he chases historic 2026 crown
“The Ballon d’Or in my view has nothing to do with the number of goals scored”, he told France Football.
“The Ballon d’Or recognises the best player of the year, a unique player, the one who gives pleasure watching, the one for whom you tune into a match just to see him.
“Ballon d’Or means a different player. Not goals scored, nothing like that. When I think about the Ballon d’Or, I think of Messi, Ronaldinho, players like that, who are different, who bring a smile when you watch them play."
Yamal also discussed his own argument for the award toL'Equipe. He said his success for both Barcelona and Spain puts him in the conversation for a record-breaking win.
“Everyone who watches football knows what my arguments are," he said.
"I've been able to win a lot of titles with Barça and, lately, I've been able to win the most important title, which is the World Cup with my national team. We want to keep winning and individually, I'm very happy."