Yamal responds to Mbappé's Ballon d'Or 2026 campaign with assured serenity

Lamine Yamal responded to Kylian Mbappé in the race for the 2026 Ballon d’Or, displaying striking serenity in the face of the Real Madrid striker’s campaign statements. The list of 30 nominees is to be unveiled on Tuesday, September 8 by France Football, ahead of a ceremony scheduled for October 26 in London.

Mbappé had opened hostilities at a press conference on the eve of the Real Madrid-Inter Milan clash in the Ligue des Champions, explicitly positioning himself in the race for the trophy. Questioned in turn after discussing Barcelona’s upcoming match against Feyenoord in the competition, Yamal chose a different approach. “It doesn’t depend on me, it depends on you. My work with Barcelona and the national team has been incredible. I have options, I’ve had an excellent year. But we’ll see,” said the young Barcelona player.

When pressed directly on Mbappé’s active campaign, Yamal did not waver. “I don’t think I need to campaign. I’m proud of what I’ve accomplished and I can’t ask for anything more. That’s your job, I’m not going to beg for anything.”

The exchange took a sharper turn when Yamal was asked about Ousmane Dembélé’s choice, the defending champion, not to include him in his top 3. The Barcelona player’s response, accompanied by a smile, was aimed as much at the outgoing winner as at his Madrid rival: “He’s Kylian’s friend. Right? (laughs)… I don’t care. I’m very happy with my year. I get along well with him. Everyone saw my year, even if he didn’t… When I faced both of them, I won.”

No clear favorite seems to be emerging in this 2026 edition, which leaves the Mbappé-Yamal duel wide open until the London ceremony.