Lamine Yamal has changed his stance on Lionel Messi’s chances of winning the Ballon d’Or 2026.
The Barcelona star previously suggested that the battle for the prestigious individual award was primarily between himself and Kylian Mbappe. However, Yamal has now acknowledged that Messi and the other leading candidates also have strong arguments in the race.
Speaking to L’Equipe, Yamal emphasized that every candidate has achieved enough to be considered a legitimate contender.
His latest comments represent a noticeable change from his earlier position and put Messi firmly back into the conversation surrounding the Ballon d’Or 2026.
Yamal Admits Messi Has a Strong Case
Yamal was asked about the other candidates competing for the Ballon d’Or and made it clear that he was not surprised to see them included in the race.
“They are all outstanding players. I am not surprised to see these players in the competition because they all have their own reasons,” Yamal said.
The teenager specifically mentioned Messi when discussing the different arguments that could influence the final decision.
“Messi is mentioned because he had a great World Cup, for example, while the other players have different arguments,” he added.
The comments show that Yamal now views the Ballon d’Or race from a broader perspective.
Rather than reducing the competition to a small group of players, he recognizes that individual performances, team achievements and major tournaments can all influence the outcome.
A Different View From Yamal’s Previous Comments
Yamal’s latest assessment is notably different from what he said just a week earlier.
At the time, he claimed that the Ballon d’Or race was essentially between himself and Mbappe.
“Mbappe and I are the two best players in the world. For me, that is very clear and everyone who watches the matches knows that,” Yamal said previously.
That statement naturally attracted attention because it appeared to leave several established stars outside his preferred battle for the award.
Among the names still involved in the conversation were Messi, Rodri and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia.
Yamal’s latest comments, however, take a more open approach.
Instead of dismissing other candidates, he now recognizes the reasons why different players could be considered worthy winners.
Yamal Says Every Opinion Should Be Respected
The Barcelona forward also stressed that different opinions about the Ballon d’Or should be respected.
He pointed out that supporters and observers can have different choices without those opinions necessarily being unreasonable.
“We have to respect everyone’s opinion. If someone says, ‘Messi deserves it’ or ‘Rodri deserves it,’ that is completely respectable. They are not talking nonsense, are they?” Yamal said.
That position is particularly relevant in a Ballon d’Or race involving several high-profile candidates.
Each player can present a different argument based on individual performances, trophies, international success or consistency throughout the year.
The main factors in the Ballon d’Or discussion include:
- Individual performances and their impact.
- Collective achievements and trophies.
- The player’s attitude and sportsmanship.
- Performances in major international tournaments.
- Overall influence during the period considered.
Why Messi Remains in the Ballon d’Or Conversation
Messi’s case is largely connected to his individual performances for Argentina during the 2026 World Cup.
The 39-year-old reportedly scored eight goals and provided four assists as Argentina progressed to the final.
Those numbers give Messi a strong individual statistical record at the tournament.
His performances on the international stage have therefore become an important part of the discussion surrounding his Ballon d’Or chances.
Although the World Cup is not listed as a standalone written criterion for the award, performances at the biggest tournament in international football can have a major influence on how players are viewed during the voting process.
That makes Messi’s World Cup campaign particularly relevant.
Messi’s World Cup Record Adds to His Case
Messi’s influence during Argentina’s run to the World Cup final provides another reason why his name continues to appear among the leading candidates.
His eight goals and four assists underline his contribution throughout the tournament.
There was also another detail noted in relation to the Ballon d’Or criteria.
Messi did not become involved in the confrontation that followed the World Cup final, which was viewed as relevant to the sportsmanship aspect of the award.
That could become another part of the overall discussion surrounding his candidacy.
However, Messi’s campaign did not end with another World Cup title this time.
That distinguishes his current Ballon d’Or case from his previous victory in 2023.
Messi Has Previous Ballon d’Or Success
Messi has already won the Ballon d’Or on multiple occasions, with his 2023 victory providing a notable example of how international success can influence the award.
That year, Erling Haaland enjoyed an outstanding season with Manchester City, including the club’s treble-winning campaign.
However, Messi’s role in Argentina’s 2022 World Cup triumph ultimately played a major part in his success in the Ballon d’Or voting.
The current situation is different.
Argentina did not win the 2026 World Cup, but Messi’s individual performance was still highly notable.
According to the information surrounding the current race, his display in the tournament was considered even stronger than his performance at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
Yamal’s New Comments Add Another Layer to the Race
Yamal’s change in tone makes the Ballon d’Or 2026 conversation even more intriguing.
His earlier comments placed himself and Mbappe at the center of the battle.
Now, he has acknowledged that Messi and other candidates have legitimate reasons to believe they can win the award.
That does not necessarily mean Yamal has abandoned his belief in his own chances.
Instead, his latest comments suggest that he recognizes the complexity of the competition and the different achievements that could influence the final decision.
With Messi, Mbappe, Yamal and several other major names in contention, the Ballon d’Or 2026 race has plenty of storylines to follow.
For Messi, his outstanding World Cup campaign provides one of the strongest arguments in his case.
For Yamal, meanwhile, his latest comments show a more measured view of a race that he previously described in much narrower terms.
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