EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY - JULY 19: Lamine Yamal #19 of Spain is congratulated by Lionel Messi #10 of Argentina after the 1-0 win during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Final match between Spain and Argentina at New York New Jersey Stadium on July 19, 2026 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)
Barcelona star Lamine Yamal has revealed his take that a Ballon d’Or triumph on the part of previous winners Lionel Messi or Rodri this year would not be undeserved.
The 30-man shortlist for the next ‘Golden Ball’ was of course unveiled earlier this month, by France Football.
The aforementioned Messi and Rodri featured front and centre, rewarded for their respective at this summer’s World Cup in North America.
Neither are considered to be amongst the very frontrunners to ultimately lift the prize, but have also not been at all ruled out of the running in a wide open race.
And as alluded to above, one individual of the opinion that a win for either Messi or Rodri would not be ‘crazy’ at the Ballon d’Or ceremony is Lamine Yamal.
Speaking during an interview with French outlet L’Équipe this week, youngster Lamine, one of the favourites to be named world football’s best, assured:
“If someone says Messi or Rodri deserves the Ballon d’Or, that’s a respectable opinion. They’re not saying anything crazy. Many great players have arguments for winning it. Everyone has their own case, and I respect their opinion.”
Conor Laird – GSFN