Lamine Yamal puts Champions League glory ahead of Ballon d’Or ambitions
Barcelona forward Lamine Yamal has made it clear that winning the UEFA Champions League remains a bigger personal ambition than securing the Ballon d’Or, as he prepares to begin another European campaign with the Spanish club.
Speaking at a press conference ahead of Barcelona’s opening Champions League fixture against Feyenoord at Camp Nou, Yamal said the European title represents the one major trophy still missing from his collection. The young Spain international also expressed confidence in Barcelona’s ability to compete for the trophy following the arrival of several new players.
“The Champions League is the biggest motivation for me,” Yamal said, describing the competition as the most prestigious target available to him. He pointed to Barcelona’s strengthened squad and the arrival of players such as Gordon, Rodri, Adeyemi and João as reasons for his optimism.
The 19-year-old winger is also at the center of discussions surrounding the Ballon d’Or after another impressive season with Barcelona and Spain. However, he insisted that he would not campaign publicly for the individual award or attempt to convince voters that he deserves it.
Yamal said he was proud of what he had achieved with both club and country, highlighting Barcelona’s domestic success and Spain’s international achievements. Rather than focusing on individual recognition, he stressed that his priority was to continue performing at the highest level.
The Ballon d’Or debate has also brought Yamal into comparison with Paris Saint-Germain forward Kylian Mbappé and former Barcelona winger Ousmane Dembélé, the previous winner of the prestigious award. Yamal appeared amused when discussing Dembélé’s decision not to include him among his top three candidates.
With a smile, Yamal suggested that his performances against both Mbappé and Dembélé may have influenced their opinions, joking that he might have “annoyed” the two French stars whenever he faced them. Nevertheless, he insisted that he was not particularly concerned about their rankings.
Yamal also addressed the physical demands of modern football, arguing that hard work and constant movement are essential for teams hoping to win major trophies. He pointed to recent European champions as evidence that intensity remains a decisive factor at the highest level.
Despite the growing attention surrounding his individual achievements, Yamal appears determined to keep the focus on collective success. For the Barcelona star, lifting the Champions League trophy would carry greater significance than adding the Ballon d’Or to his list of personal accolades.
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