Real Madrid manager José Mourinho has refused to get drawn into the debate over Lamine Yamal’s claim that he deserves to win the 2026 Ballon d’Or.
Asked about opinions backing the Barcelona star for the prestigious individual award, Mourinho gave a typically brief response:
“I respect all the opinions but I’m not gonna say anything. No comment.”
Softfootball notes that Yamal has made a strong case for the award after an outstanding season with Barcelona and Spain. The teenager helped Barcelona retain LaLiga and played a key role in Spain’s World Cup triumph, while also being recognised among the leading contenders for this year’s Ballon d’Or.
Yamal himself has insisted that his achievements put him in a strong position to claim the prize, with Kylian Mbappé widely regarded as his biggest rival. The Barcelona forward has also admitted that he believes he deserves the award based on what he achieved during the campaign ahead of the highly anticipated awards ceremony in London this coming October.
Mourinho’s reluctance to enter the discussion comes as he focuses on his own challenges at Real Madrid. The Portuguese coach has already overseen an encouraging start to the season, although Madrid continue to work on improving their control and consistency.
The Madrid boss has also previously indicated that signing Rodri was “not a necessity” for Real Madrid, reflecting his belief that the club already possesses enough quality and depth in midfield.
With the Ballon d’Or ceremony approaching, the Yamal-Mbappé debate is only expected to intensify. Mourinho, however, appears determined to stay out of the argument.
