Lamine Yamal Reveals Bold Ballon d’Or Ambitions as He Prepares for Defining Season with Barcelona and Spain

When you think about the blazing rise of Lamine Yamal, it’s crystal clear the kid’s got his eye on the prize, but maybe not quite the one everyone’s buzzing about—the 2026 Ballon d’Or. Instead of chasing that glittering individual accolade, Yamal’s laser-focused on what really matters over the next ten months: lifting trophies with Barcelona and making waves with Spain. At just 18, after snagging second place behind Ousmane Dembele last year, he’s back in the spotlight as one of the top contenders for the Ballon d’Or—yet he’s playing the long game. With Barca battling on three fronts—the Champions League, La Liga, and Copa del Rey—this is a season packed with pressure and opportunity. And Yamal? He’s not about the personal glory; he’s all about the team’s success. As he told Mundo Deportivo, the individual awards are a tricky business—based as much on votes and moments as pure talent—and he’s all about enjoying the ride and winning as a collective. The stage is set, the clock’s ticking, and Yamal’s ready to ramp up his game when it counts the most. LEARN MORE.

Lamine Yamal says he is not focused on winning the 2026 Ballon d’Or and has prioritised success with Barcelona and Spain over the next 10 months.

The 18-year-old came second to Ousmane Dembele last year and will again be among the favourites to land the prize with Barca still fighting on three fronts: the Champions League, La Liga and Copa del Rey.

The winner, though, is likely to have played a large role in this summer’s World Cup and Yamal says his ambitions are collective, not individual.

He told Mundo Deportivo: “I don’t think about it, it’s a prize that if you think about it, you won’t have an answer. It is something that depends on what you win, how you play, on those who vote, it is not something that is decided solely on your game. I just want to enjoy things and win with Barça and the national team.”

Crunch period coming for Barcelona and Yamal

With 22 rounds of the Liga season done and the league phase of the Champions League completed, it is getting towards the business end of the season and Yamal knows it is now time to move through the gears.

He added: “Now the important moments come and that’s where the quality players of our team have to come out. I’m enjoying this moment and I’m going for more.”

Barca lead the Liga table by one point from Real Madrid and Yamal knows there is little room for error. 

“It is the most difficult competition because it is the longest,” he said. “Until the end nothing is decided and like last year, we will have to fight until the end, add points, not lose any games, because they are all important.”

Barca advanced to the round of 16 in the Champions League without the need to participate in the play-offs but the teenager does not believe a top-eight finish has a huge bearing on what’s to come as the club chase their first continental crown in 11 years.

“It’s different, the position doesn’t really tell you anything, only that we can rest more,” he said. “We will go with everything and try to win.”