Monchi, the sporting director of RCD Espanyol, has offered some apologies and some explanations for saying [Lamine Yamal should win the Ballon d’Or](/cant-del-blog-barcelona-opinion/131818/who-gets-your-vote-for-the-2026-ballon-dor-awards), football’s highest individual honor. Yamal plays for FC Barcelona, Espanyol’s crosstown rivals.
“I was asked a question, and I stirred up a bit of controversy among the _Perico_ fans. I apologize to anyone I offended,“ Monchi said on [Spanish radio](https://cadenaser.com/audio/1790629312691/).
“I was given the choice of Kylian Mbappé (French), Harry Kane (English), or Lamine Yamal (Spanish), and I opted for the Spanish option.”
Yamal is among the favorites for the award, having won the FIFA World Cup with Spain.
“Obviously, as a _Perico_, I should have named anyone else,” Monchi mused.
“I didn’t do it out of any malice. I know what it means to have the _Perico_ feeling; I’ve identified with it from day one and felt it on the street. If I offended anyone, I apologize, because it was really just a case of me wearing the Spanish flag.”
Barcelona are due to visit Espanyol at RCDE Stadium in Cornellà de Llobregat on January 3 of next year.
See More: