Raphinha Backs Lamine Yamal as Ballon d’Or Front-Runner

Raphinha has made an emphatic case for Lamine Yamal to receive the next Ballon d’Or, insisting the Barcelona and Spain forward has done enough to stand above the rest of the field.

Asked whether Yamal should be regarded as the leading candidate, the Brazilian captain answered without hesitation: “Undoubtedly, yes.” Raphinha believes the 17-year-old’s case reaches beyond their shared Barcelona dressing room, pointing to both his influence in major matches and a level of ability rarely associated with a player of his age.

Yamal has become a central figure for Barcelona at the Spotify Camp Nou and for Spain, the European champions. Raphinha stressed that the teenager combines the individual quality, output and collective success generally expected of a Ballon d’Or winner, alongside the flair he brings to matches.

“Lamine has them all,” Raphinha said, citing his “incredible numbers” across more than one season. He also highlighted a campaign that brought three trophies and a World Cup, achievements likely to carry substantial weight with the 100 journalists responsible for voting.

The Brazil international said his view would be unchanged if Yamal represented another club. “Whatever happens, he has to win it,” he said, adding that other players would naturally have their own advocates but that Yamal was his clear choice. “Even if he were not my teammate, I would still say he deserves it.”

Raphinha described Yamal as among the most significant players for both Barcelona and Spain, returning to the forward’s contribution on the pitch, statistical record and trophy haul as the basis for his argument.

The Ballon d’Or race is approaching its conclusion. Journalists have until September 28 to submit their selections, while the ceremony is set for October 26 in London.