Third at the Ballon d'Or, Lamine Yamal leaves ceremony in tears behind sunglasses

Harry Kane won the 2026 Ballon d’Or at the ceremony held in London, relegating Lamine Yamal to third place behind Kylian Mbappé — a verdict delivered by jury president Ronaldo that visibly shattered the 19-year-old Barcelona prodigy.

Arriving in great style with his family and a large delegation from FC Barcelona, the Spanish world champion left very quickly after the awards presentation, concealing his gaze behind sunglasses he was not wearing when he walked the red carpet. Cameras had already caught tears at the corners of his eyes during the speech by the Bayern Munich winner. Minutes earlier, Thierry Henry had tried to lighten the mood by presenting him with the Kopa Trophy for best young player: “Is this the trophy you were expecting tonight?” Yamal had smiled, but the disappointment was too deep to hide.

The Barcelona player, second last year, had hoped this time to claim the supreme award at the end of a season crowned by La Liga, the World Cup and the Spanish Super Cup. The third consecutive third-place finish is viewed as an injustice in his circle.

It was his uncle, interviewed by El Chiringuito, who expressed the clan’s frustration most forcefully: “I am very sad! I absolutely do not understand how Lamine did not win the Ballon d’Or. Something is going on here. My nephew is the best player in the world, everyone knows it. If you love football, you go to see Lamine Yamal, not Harry Kane. Kane is a goalscorer, Lamine is the best!”

Yamal’s uncle concluded with a direct jab at the English striker: “We are always told he is too young and that if he does not win this year, he will win next year. It was the same last year. Harry Kane, he only has three days of career left, so they give him the Ballon d’Or. Lamine scores goals that nobody scores and makes incredible assists. He will not win one, he will win five!”

This outburst echoes the harsh statements made by Yamal’s father last year, after Ousmane Dembélé’s triumph. Barcelona’s defeat in the Clásico the day before had already not improved the mood in the Catalan camp.