Barcelona winger Karim Adeyemi has publicly backed his new teammate Lamine Yamal as the “clear candidate” to win the 2026 Ballon d’Or, the prestigious annual award for the world’s best footballer.
The 19‑year‑old Spaniard is one of the 30 players named on the final shortlist for this year’s award. Yamal helped Spain’s national team, La Roja, lift the World Cup, and he also featured in Barcelona’s domestic double, winning both LaLiga and the Copa del Rey.
“Lamine Yamal is a clear candidate to win the Ballon d’Or and it would be well deserved,” Adeyemi said.
Yamal has started the new season in striking form, contributing seven goals and two assists as Hansi Flick’s Barcelona sit atop the LaLiga table.
The Ballon d’Or, presented by France Football, is widely regarded as the highest individual honor in the sport, and Yamal’s early-season impact has placed him firmly in the conversation for the 2026 accolade.
<small>Source: Daily Post Nigeria — read the original story there.</small>
