Yamal on Ballon d'Or Spotlight: Not About Performance, Just the Drive to Win
5 February 2026
Yamal on Ballon d'Or dreams and a season of debate
He says his playing style stirs controversy. Lamine Yamal, one of Mundo Deportivo's standout stars at the newspaper's 120th anniversary celebration on Monday, spoke to the paper before receiving the award for his stellar season last year. “It's an honor for me and my family,” he said, “I'm very happy and I hope this year will be better.” He added, “Now the decisive moments are approaching, and the standout players in our team must step up. I enjoy this moment and I want more.”
Barça’s title race and the Champions League mindset
Although Barcelona sit top of La Liga, he insists they must fight to the end to keep the title. “It's the toughest league because it's the longest; nothing is decided until the last moment, and like last year, we must fight to the end, collect points, and not lose any game, because every match matters, and we hope to succeed.”
Regarding the Champions League, he said: “The situation is different from last season; our position doesn't mean anything, only that we can get more rest. No matter who the opponent is, we will do our best to win.”
He added: “My playing style doesn't rely on the necessity to score. It's controversial: when I play well it's because I don't score, and when I score it's because I don't play well, but I want to play well and for the team to win and keep this approach.”
Despite finishing second in the 2025 Ballon d'Or, Yamal says he isn't preoccupied. “I don't think about it. It's a prize; if you think about it you won't find an answer. It depends on what you win, how you play, and who votes; it's not about your performance. I just want to enjoy and win with Barcelona and the national team.” He finished behind PSG's Ousmane Dembélé in the Ballon d'Or race.
Caption: Yamal at Mundo Deportivo event as Barça eyes more silverware.
PUNCHLINE 1: If the Ballon d'Or had a fan club, Yamal would be its president. PUNCHLINE 2: Barça's plan for the season is simple—fight to the end, and maybe teach gravity a lesson in the process.
