Lamine Yamal Backs Pau Cubarsi for Ballon d’Or

Barcelona winger Lamine Yamal has said he would have no problem with teammate Pau Cubarsi winning the Ballon d’Or, despite both young Spaniards being among the 30 nominees for this year’s prestigious award.

Yamal made the remarks during an interview with Spanish broadcaster Teledeporte, where he praised Cubarsi’s performances and development at Barcelona.

Cubarsi, who has established himself as an important member of Barcelona’s first team, is also in contention for the Kopa Trophy, awarded annually to the best young player in world football.

Yamal said he considers Cubarsi deserving of major individual recognition, recalling that he previously viewed his teammate as the best young player in the world.

“Last year, for me, Cubarsi was the best young player in the world,” Yamal said.

The 19-year-old winger, who previously won the Kopa Trophy, added that he had already told Cubarsi that his time for individual recognition would come.

“Either the Kopa award or the Ballon d’Or should go to him. There’s no difference between us,” Yamal said.

“When I won it, I told him that he would be next. If he doesn’t win it for whatever reason, I will give it to him.”

Yamal and Cubarsi’s inclusion among the Ballon d’Or nominees highlights the growing influence of Barcelona’s young players, with both continuing to feature prominently for the Catalan club and Spain.