“I Am Not Going To Beg For Votes” Yamal Shuts Down Ballon D’Or Campaign

“I Am Not Going to Beg for Votes” Yamal Shuts Down Ballon d’Or Campaign Barcelona star Lamine Yamal has ruled out campaigning for the 2026 Ballon d’Or, insisting that he will not beg voters to hand him the prestigious individual award. The 19-year-old winger said his performances for Barcelona and Spain should speak for themselves, leaving the final decision to the journalists responsible for voting. Speaking ahead of Barcelona’s Champions League clash with Feyenoord, Yamal was asked about his chances of winning the Ballon d’Or. The teenager acknowledged that he has a strong case but said he had no intention of launching a personal campaign to convince voters. “I don’t think I need to make a campaign for it. I’m not thinking about what I deserve; everyone can think what they like,” Yamal said. He added that he was proud of everything he had achieved with his club and national team and would accept the result. Yamal made his position particularly clear when he said he would not plead with journalists to vote for him. “I think I’ve shown an incredible level, it’s (the media’s) job and I will not beg for anything,” he said. The Barcelona youngster believes his performances over the past year have already provided enough evidence for voters to make their decision.Yamal enters the Ballon d’Or race after a highly successful year with both Barcelona and Spain. He helped Barcelona win LaLiga and was part of the Spain side that became 2026 World Cup champions. His performances have placed him among the leading contenders for the award, alongside players including Kylian Mbappé, Harry Kane, Ousmane Dembélé and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia. The Barcelona forward came second in last year’s Ballon d’Or voting, finishing behind Paris Saint-Germain star Ousmane Dembélé. Yamal has again emerged as one of the leading candidates, but he appears determined to let the voters decide rather than become involved in an aggressive campaign for the prize. His latest comments came shortly after Mbappé publicly made his own case for the award, highlighting his achievements at the 2026 World Cup. Despite refusing to campaign, Yamal remains confident about his prospects. He said he believes he has a strong chance of winning because of the level he has maintained with both Barcelona and Spain. Ultimately, however, the young star said the decision belongs to the journalists casting the votes. The 2026 Ballon d’Or ceremony is scheduled for October 26 in London, where the winner will be announced.