'I won't beg for the Ballon d'Or': Yamal takes swipe at Mbappe and Dembele
Lamine Yamal has made clear he has no intention of campaigning for this year's Ballon d'Or, taking a pointed swipe at Kylian Mbappe in the process while brushing aside any rivalry talk involving fellow contender Ousmane Dembele.
Speaking to reporters on Tuesday ahead of Barcelona's Champions League opener against Feyenoord, the 19 year old insisted his season should speak for itself, rather than requiring any public lobbying on his part.
"I don't think I need to advertise myself. Everyone can think what they want. I am proud of what I have achieved, and I couldn't wish for anything more. That is your job, I won't beg for anything," Yamal said.
His comments came just a day after Mbappe made a public case for his own candidacy, pointing to a summer in which he described making history at the most prestigious tournament in the sport.
The Real Madrid forward has finished as top scorer in consecutive major tournaments and now sits atop the all time World Cup scoring charts, achievements he believes justify his claim to be the world's best player.
Those remarks did not go down well with 1998 World Cup winner Christophe Dugarry, who criticised Mbappe's self promotion in blunt terms, labelling the comments both childish and pathetic in a wider media reaction.
Yamal, for his part, appeared unbothered by the growing debate, preferring to let his performances on the pitch do the talking rather than engage directly in any war of words over individual recognition.
"It does not depend on me, but on you. The work with Barcelona and the national team was incredible. I have a chance, I had a great year. But we will see," he said, addressing his own prospects.
Turning to reigning Ballon d'Or holder Dembele, who lifted the Champions League again last season, Yamal offered a similarly relaxed response when asked about the Frenchman's chances of retaining the award this year.
"He is a friend of Kylian, I don't care. I am very satisfied with the year behind me. When I have played against the two of them, I have won. I get on very well with Ousmane," Yamal said.
Dembele had previously named Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, Harry Kane and Mbappe as his own picks for the podium in comments made to France Football, notably omitting Yamal from his shortlist of contenders for the prize.
Despite the individual talk swirling around him, Yamal was quick to stress that collective success remains far more important, framing the Champions League as the clear priority for both himself and his Barcelona teammates this season.
"It is the big goal, there is no greater motivation. We are all highly motivated. We are all firmly focused on that," he said, before turning to his own personal targets for the campaign ahead.
"I am young, that is my goal," Yamal added, reflecting on his continued development despite already holding World Cup, European Championship and now Barcelona captaincy honours at such a young age.
He also spoke warmly about sharing leadership duties within Hansi Flick's squad, sitting alongside senior captain Raphinha and fellow leaders Pedri, Frenkie de Jong and Eric Garcia in the club's newly formed leadership group.
"Rapha is an incredible captain, and Eric, Pedri, I learn from them to always try to do what is best for the team," Yamal said, describing the trust shown in him by teammates as a source of pride.
Barcelona open their Champions League campaign at home against Feyenoord Rotterdam on Wednesday, before facing tougher tests later in the group phase against defending champions Paris Saint Germain and English side Manchester City.
Meanwhile, Mbappe wasted little time backing up his own Ballon d'Or claims on the pitch, scoring the opener as Real Madrid began their Champions League campaign with a 2-1 victory over Inter Milan.