Former Barcelona forward Zlatan Ibrahimovic has backed Barcelona winger Lamine Yamal to win the 2026 Ballon d’Or, saying there is no doubt the teenager deserves the award.
Ibrahimovic made his choice when asked who he expected to be crowned the world’s best player this year. He identified Yamal as one of the leading performers of the 2025-26 season and immediately named him as his preferred candidate.
It is the second time in recent weeks that Ibrahimovic has publicly supported Yamal’s bid. During an appearance on the programme “Cold As Ice” with Kevin Hart last month, the former Sweden international also selected the Barcelona player.
“If I have to choose one person, of course I would choose Yamal. Right now, Yamal is my player,” Ibrahimovic said at the time.
Yamal has previously acknowledged that he would like to win the Ballon d’Or, although he has rejected the idea of campaigning for the prize. The 2025-26 season, he said, should be judged by what he has achieved on the pitch rather than by any effort to promote his candidacy.
“First of all, who wins the Ballon d’Or is not decided by me, but by you, the media,” Yamal said.
“This year, both at Barcelona and with the Spanish national team, I’ve had a very good season. I think because I had a great season, I have a chance to win the award.”
The forward added that he did not believe he needed to make a specific case for himself, pointing instead to the success he had enjoyed during the campaign.
“I don’t think I need to campaign specifically for it. I’m proud of the year I’ve had. I won the World Cup and La Ligathere’s nothing more to ask for,” he said.
“There are other players who have also performed exceptionally well, but the final decision is in your hands. I won’t ask anyone to give me this award.”
Yamal has spoken about the Ballon d’Or several times over the past month as the debate around this year’s winner has intensified. Paris Saint-Germain striker Kylian Mbappe is also regarded as one of the leading contenders.
The award is decided by media representatives, with Yamal insisting that the final verdict should reflect performances for both Barcelona and the Spanish national team.
