Barcelona winger Lamine Yamal has argued that the Ballon d’Or should not be determined solely by the number of goals a player scores, but by the impact and excitement he brings to football.
Yamal made the comments in an interview with L’Equipe as he continues to be considered among the leading contenders for this year’s award.
The 19-year-old finished second to Paris Saint-Germain forward Ousmane Dembélé last year and is again in contention, alongside Dembélé, Real Madrid’s Kylian Mbappé and Bayern Munich striker Harry Kane.
The Ballon d’Or winner is scheduled to be announced at a ceremony in London on October 26.
Yamal said the number of strong contenders had made the race more open and sparked further debate among football fans, with journalists ultimately responsible for deciding the winner.
“It’s fun that there are more players up for the prize, more debate and people can have different opinions,” Yamal told L’Equipe.
“At the end of the day, it comes down to the journalists. It’s a difficult job for them. We all have good arguments to win it. We are all great players, so let’s see.”
The Barcelona star said the award should recognise a player who leaves a lasting impression through his style and ability to entertain supporters.
“The Ballon d’Or is for the best player of the year, someone different, someone we have enjoyed watching, who has that magic, makes you smile and look forward to watching games just to see them play.
“It’s not to do with the sheer number of goals. When I think of the Ballon d’Or, I think of Lionel Messi, Ronaldinho… different players, players that make you dream.”
Kane scored 61 goals for Bayern Munich last season as the club won the Bundesliga, while Mbappé netted 42 times for Real Madrid despite ending the campaign without a major trophy.
Yamal scored 24 goals, while Dembélé contributed 20 for Paris Saint-Germain, who won the Champions League.
Yamal also believes his playing style and success with Spain have strengthened his credentials for the award.
“On the pitch I enjoy myself,” he said. “I have also been lucky enough to win a lot of trophies with Barcelona.
“And I won the biggest trophy of them all, the World Cup with my national team. But beyond all that, I think the way I play is the strongest argument and what makes me different.”
Despite his young age, Yamal has already won major honours with Spain, while the Champions League remains one of the significant trophies still missing from his collection.
The teenager admitted that winning the Ballon d’Or is one of his ambitions but insisted he does not allow the individual award to become an obsession.
“Yes, I dream of winning it,” he said. “I always say that everyone has to aim as high as possible. If I was a waiter, I would want to own the restaurant.
“I play to make history, so that in 30 years kids say: ‘He was really good.’ But it’s not an obsession. I never think ‘I want to be better than Pele or Messi.’ I don’t want to compare myself with others.
“I want to be Lamine Yamal. I want to be remembered as Lamine Yamal. I hope to be remembered among the greats. I have the capacity to do it; it depends on me.”