Yamal Laughs Off Dembélé Snub as Ballon d’Or Race Heats Up

Lamine Yamal has responded calmly, but with a touch of humour, after reigning Ballon d’Or winner Ousmane Dembélé left him out of his top three choices for this year’s award.

Dembélé, who won the 2025 Ballon d’Or, named Paris Saint-Germain teammates Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Kylian Mbappé, alongside Bayern Munich striker Harry Kane, among his preferred candidates for the 2026 prize. Yamal was not included in the Frenchman’s selection.

Asked about the omission during a press conference ahead of Barcelona’s Champions League opener, Yamal responded with a smile, suggesting that Dembélé’s friendship with Mbappé could explain his choice. He then played down the issue, saying he has a good relationship with Dembélé and understands that the French forward is entitled to favour other players.

Yamal also made it clear that he does not intend to campaign publicly for the individual award. The Barcelona forward said his work with both his club and the Spanish national team should speak for itself, adding that the final decision belongs to the journalists who vote.

The confidence behind Yamal’s response comes after a remarkable season. He helped Spain win the World Cup while also collecting major honours with Barcelona, strengthening his position among the leading contenders for the 2026 Ballon d’Or. He has also been named among the 30 nominees for this year’s award.

Dembélé’s omission of Yamal is nevertheless notable because the Frenchman is the reigning winner and therefore carries particular weight when discussing the award. His own selection also reflects the strength of the current race, with Mbappé, Kane, Kvaratskhelia, Yamal, Lionel Messi and several other elite players competing for the honour.

Rather than turning the disagreement into a public rivalry, Yamal appeared determined to keep the focus on his performances. His response combined confidence in his own season with an acknowledgment that individual voters can reach different conclusions.

The 2026 Ballon d’Or will ultimately be decided by the designated journalists, meaning neither Dembélé’s preferences nor Yamal’s public response will determine the winner. For now, however, the exchange has added another layer of intrigue to an already competitive race.