Raphinha has entered the 2026 Ballon d’Or debate with a very clear choice: Lamine Yamal. The Barcelona winger believes his young teammate should win the award “by a mile,” pointing to his statistics, trophies with club and country and Spain’s World Cup success.
Yamal is officially among the nominees for the 2026 Ballon d’Or, with the ceremony scheduled for October 26 at the London Palladium.
Lamine Yamal’s Ballon d’Or Case Gets Raphinha’s Full Backing
Raphinha’s argument for Lamine Yamal is built around the combination of individual production and team success. Speaking to RAC1, he highlighted Yamal’s numbers and trophies while also pointing to the World Cup as an important part of the teenager’s credentials.
That distinction matters because the Ballon d’Or is not simply an award for goals or assists. The voting process considers individual performance, the team achievements during the relevant period and the player’s overall impact, making the wider context around Yamal’s season part of the conversation.
Yamal has already established himself as one of Barcelona’s most recognisable attacking players despite his young age. His rise has also seen him become a central figure for Spain, giving his Ballon d’Or campaign both a club and international dimension.
Raphinha clearly believes those ingredients make the case overwhelming. His “by a mile” comment leaves very little room for diplomatic interpretation—his teammate is not merely a candidate in his eyes; he is the obvious choice.
Raphinha Says People Would Pay to Watch Yamal
The most entertaining part of Raphinha’s endorsement came when he discussed Yamal’s appeal to supporters. He said people would pay whatever it takes to watch the youngster play and added that he would pay to watch him himself.
That comment speaks to the entertainment value Yamal brings beyond traditional statistics. A player who can consistently create anticipation, beat defenders and produce moments that make supporters want to watch can develop a commercial and cultural appeal alongside his footballing achievements.
It also adds another layer to the Lamine Yamal Ballon d’Or discussion. Raphinha is not presenting only a statistical argument; he is describing a player whose presence itself has become part of the attraction.
Whether the voters ultimately agree with Raphinha is a separate question, because the Ballon d’Or decision belongs to the official voting process rather than individual endorsements. What is clear is that Yamal has secured a place among the 2026 nominees, and one of his own teammates is making an exceptionally strong public case for him.
For Lamine Yamal, the campaign now has another headline: Raphinha believes the answer is not close. For the Ballon d’Or voters, however, the final decision still waits until the votes are counted.
