Former FC Barcelona striker Robert Lewandowski has thrown his support behind Lamine Yamal ahead of Monday’s Ballon d’Or ceremony.
He has backed his former teammate to claim football’s most prestigious individual award after his exploits for the Catalan club and Spain last season.
As quoted by [SPORT](https://www.sport.es/es/noticias/barca/lewandowsi-claro-ganador-balon-oro-135683518), Lewandowski revealed his preference during an interview with The Athletic, where he discussed Barcelona and the leading contenders for the award.
The Polish international made no attempt to hide who he thinks should win the Ballon d’Or.
**“I hope Lamine wins it,”** the Polish striker declared.
Lewandowski spent three seasons alongside Yamal at Barcelona and witnessed his extraordinary development from a young academy prospect into one of football’s biggest stars.
**“What he does is incredible, especially at his age,”** the 38-year-old added.
However, the former Barcelona striker also acknowledged the quality of other contenders, particularly Bayern Munich duo Michael Olise and Harry Kane.
**“I really enjoy watching Olise and what he does. He always makes the right decisions and has so much quality,”** Lewandowski explained.
He also praised Kane’s goalscoring record and his attacking understanding with Olise and Luis Diaz.
Reflecting on the Ballon d’Or race, Lewandowski suggested that the award has become more competitive since the era of Messi and Ronaldo.
**“Before, it was much harder. It was always between two or three players,”** he admitted, welcoming the possibility of eight or ten footballers having legitimate claims to the prize.
Lewandowski’s endorsement carries particular significance because he witnessed Yamal’s development at close range.
Few players understand the demands of elite football better than the Polish striker, who enjoyed a remarkable career at Bayern Munich and Barcelona before moving to Chicago Fire.
His support also reflects how far Yamal has progressed in such a short period.
For Barcelona, seeing their young superstar competing for the Ballon d’Or is another reminder of La Masia’s extraordinary ability to produce world-class talent.
Winning the award would be a historic achievement. Having unfairly missed out on the award himself, Lewandowski will hope the same does not happen to Lamine Yamal.
The Barcelona teenager deserves the award, and it remains to be seen how things pan out on Monday.