Lamine Yamar Declares No Campaign for Ballon d’Or, Sets Sights on Champions League

At a press conference ahead of Barcelona’s Champions League opener, 19-year-old forward Lamine Yamar said he will not “beg” for votes in the 2026 Ballon d’Or race. He emphasized that the award “depends on you [the media]” and that his primary motivation this season is winning the Champions League, the only major trophy still missing from his résumé.

2026 Ballon d’Or: Lamine Yamal Sends Bold Message Ahead of Award

Yamar helped Spain capture the World Cup in the summer and was instrumental as Barcelona secured the 2024 LaLiga title and the Spanish Supercopa. Barcelona entered the 2026-27 campaign with new signings such as Rodri, Anthony Gordon and Karim Adeyemi, aiming to end an 11-year Champions League drought.

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• Yamar recorded 24 goals and 18 assists in 2024-25.

"I won't beg for the Ballon d'Or": Barcelona's Lamine Yamal takes a swipe at Kylian Mbappe

• Barcelona opened the 2026-27 LaLiga season with four straight wins, scoring 17 goals.

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• The Ballon d’Or shortlist features 30 men, with the ceremony set for October 26 in London.

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• The award’s performance window runs from August 3 2025 to July 19 2026.

Al Jazeera (website)

Yamar thanked teammates for entrusting him with a vice-captain role, noting he is one of three vice-captains elected by his peers. Manager Hansi Flick added that the club must keep all players “fit and sharp” to overcome historic European hurdles.

"I won't beg for the Ballon d'Or": Barcelona's Lamine Yamal takes a swipe at Kylian Mbappe

Yamar’s refusal to launch a media campaign signals a shift toward letting on-field performance dictate individual accolades, contrasting with the self-promotion seen from some rivals. His elevation to vice-captain at 19 underscores Barcelona’s strategy of integrating youthful leadership into a squad seeking European redemption.

"I won't beg for the Ballon d'Or": Barcelona's Lamine Yamal takes a swipe at Kylian Mbappe

• “Firstly, it doesn't depend on me [who wins the Ballon d'Or], it depends on you [the media],” — Lamine Yamar

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• “There is no bigger motivation than winning the Champions League,” — Lamine Yamar

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• “Every big club dreams about this because it's the best competition,” — Hansi Flick

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• September 8 – Yamar and Flick address the media ahead of the Champions League match against Feyenoord.

"I won't beg for the Ballon d'Or": Barcelona's Lamine Yamal takes a swipe at Kylian Mbappe

• October 26 (scheduled) – France Football will host the Ballon d’Or ceremony in London.

Al Jazeera (website)