The narrative that Lamine Yamal’s Ballon d’Or recognition came purely from Barcelona fan hype does not hold strong weight when examined closely.
Many argue that Yamal’s second-place finish in the Ballon d’Or rankings was driven by FC Barcelona supporters. However, player opinions across the football world suggest otherwise. When footballers are asked to name their top three players globally, Yamal’s name frequently appears.
Softfootball observed a video shared by ESPN in which Amad Diallo was asked to name his top three players in the world. He mentioned Lamine Yamal, Kylian Mbappé, and Ousmane Dembélé.
When asked to name the top three wingers in the world, Amad again included Yamal, alongside Luis Díaz and Vinícius Júnior.
This is significant because Amad plays for Manchester United F.C., while Yamal represents Barcelona. They are not teammates and have not shared a dressing room. The respect shown is therefore peer-based, not club-driven.
It is also noticeable that when players list their top three, Raphinha is mentioned less frequently, despite strong performances. Some may argue he is underrated and often has to work harder for similar recognition.
One undeniable factor working in Yamal’s favour is his age. Performing at such a high level so early in his career naturally amplifies admiration from fellow professionals. His recognition appears to be rooted more in global peer respect than in fan-driven narratives.
