Lamine Yamal discusses Ballon d’Or criteria in recent interview
Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Sep 18, 2026, 11:10 AM
Last updated Sep 18, 2026

Lamine Yamal expressed his concerns over the criteria for the Ballon d’Or, stating it has strayed from identifying the best footballer. In an interview on Movistar Plus’ Universo Valdano, Yamal argued that team achievements, like winning the Champions League, should not determine the award’s individual accolade. He cited the dominance of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo as a clearer time for judging the award. Yamal emphasized that statistics do not encapsulate a player's contribution on the field, advocating for enjoyment in the game over merely quantifying success through goals. His comments add depth to ongoing discussions about the evolution of football awards.
- •Yamal questions relevance of team success for individual awards.
- •He contrasts current criteria with Messi and Ronaldo's era.
- •Yamal values match enjoyment over personal statistics.
- •His comments were made on Movistar Plus’ Universo Valdano.
- •Discussion may impact future award evaluations.
- 11:10 AMYahoo Sports — Lamine Yamal questions modern Ballon d’Or criteria and explains what should matter: ‘People prioritise factors that have nothing to do with it’
"Lamine Yamal has finally given his full explanation on the Ballon d’Or, and the Barcelona winger believes the award has moved away from what he considers its central purpose: identifying the best fo...
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