Santi Cazorla has expressed strong support for Lamine Yamal in the Ballon d’Or competition, arguing that the young Barcelona star has proven himself worthy of the honor. As excitement builds ahead of the awards ceremony, the debate has seemingly boiled down to two favorites: Yamal and Real Madrid's Kylian Mbappé.
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In a light-hearted exchange, a Real Madrid player joked about the tough choice between him and Yamal for the award, highlighting the longstanding rivalry between Barcelona and Real Madrid.
Luka Vuskovic, a former Barcelona target, praised both Yamal and Pau Cubarsi, acknowledging their potential as future greats and the significance of their contributions to the team.
Yamal recently reflected on his chances for the Ballon d’Or, suggesting that his age might work against him in voter perception, despite his elite performances. He noted that younger players are often seen as having more opportunities to win the award later in their careers.
With approximately three weeks until the Ballon d’Or ceremony, anticipation continues to grow. Former PSG manager Christophe Galtier has predicted that players like Fabien Ruiz, Ousmane Dembélé, and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia could also emerge as contenders for the 2026 award.
This season, Yamal's efforts on the international stage were recognized when he was named Nations League Player of the Round.
In other developments, Dembélé downplayed any online tensions between him and Mbappé in their concurrent bids for the Ballon d’Or. He clarified that there are no personal issues between them.
Czech Republic coach Santi Denia has also commended Yamal, labeling him a ‘game-changer’ in anticipation of their upcoming Nations League clash with Spain.
On a humorous note, Real Madrid defender Marc Cucurella stated he would vote for himself if given the chance.
Additionally, as Barcelona maintains a six-point lead over Real Madrid in La Liga, the upcoming Clásico is expected to significantly impact the title race.