Barcelona manager Hansi Flick has backed teenage forward Lamine Yamal to win the 2026 Ballon d’Or after another impressive performance in the Champions League.
Yamal scored twice as Barcelona thrashed Feyenoord 5-1 on Wednesday, further strengthening his case for the prestigious individual award.
Speaking after the match, Flick said the 19-year-old deserved to win the prize.
“Lamine is my player,” Flick said.
“He’s a Barcelona player and I also think he would deserve that too, to win the Ballon d’Or this year.
“He’s an exceptional player. You can see that in every match. He’s special.”
Yamal is among the 30 players shortlisted for this year’s Ballon d’Or after helping Barcelona win the Copa del Rey and La Liga last season.
The Spain international has continued to impress this season and is being widely regarded as one of the leading contenders for the award.
If he wins, Yamal would become the youngest player ever to claim the Ballon d’Or.
