Jorge Mendes has thrown his full support behind Lamine Yamal in the 2026 Ballon d’Or race. After a spectacular season with Barcelona and Spain, Mendes believes the 19-year-old deserves football’s biggest individual prize and says no player can be compared to him.
Jorge Mendes has delivered one of his strongest statements yet in support of Lamine Yamal’s 2026 Ballon d’Or bid.
The Barcelona star’s agent believes the 19-year-old has done enough to claim football’s most prestigious individual prize after another outstanding season for club and country.
Mendes did not just call Yamal a favourite.
He went much further.
“No one can be compared to him after this season,” Mendes said on August 21.
For one of football’s most influential agents, the case is simple.
Yamal has delivered at every level.
He helped Barcelona win La Liga.
He was named the league’s best player.
And he became a World Cup champion with Spain.
Now Mendes believes the Ballon d’Or should follow.
Jorge Mendes gives his Ballon d’Or verdict
Mendes has long backed Yamal’s potential, but his latest comments are an especially strong endorsement.
He described the Ballon d’Or as a prize for footballing genius and placed Yamal firmly in that category.
He also argued that Yamal’s mix of performances and trophies makes him a clear candidate for 2026.
“He deserves it,” Mendes said.
The comments reignited debate around a Ballon d’Or race that remains open after the World Cup.
Yamal is not the only contender.
But Mendes clearly believes his client stands above the rest.
Another huge Barcelona season
Mendes has strong numbers to support his claim.
Yamal produced his best league season in 2025/26.
He scored 16 La Liga goals and provided 11 assists, helping Barcelona retain the title with 94 points.
Those performances earned him the La Liga Player of the Season award.
Across all competitions, he finished with 24 goals and 18 assists in 45 games.
Remarkable numbers for a player who was still 18 for most of the season.
Barcelona increasingly built their attack around him.
Opponents knew the danger.
Stopping it was another matter.
Barcelona’s title run built around Yamal
Team success also strengthens his case.
Barcelona defended their Spanish title with Yamal as one of their key figures.
His impact went far beyond goals and assists.
He created chances from nothing.
He beat defenders consistently.
And he became a decisive match-winner.
That evolution turned him from a wonderkid into a central star.
Then came the World Cup
The race shifted again in the summer.
Spain entered the 2026 World Cup as favourites and became champions.
Yamal played a key role in the triumph.
He scored against Saudi Arabia and remained an important attacking threat throughout the tournament.
He also completed 35 successful dribbles, more than any other player.
He became the first player under 20 to win both the European Championship and the World Cup.
He had already won Euro 2024.
Now he is a world champion.
A trophy collection beyond his age
Yamal’s achievements are extraordinary for his age.
He turned 19 during the World Cup.
Yet he already has multiple La Liga titles, a European Championship and a World Cup.
He is also Barcelona’s No.10 and one of football’s biggest stars.
Mendes believes this level of success should heavily influence Ballon d’Or voting.
Trophies alone are not enough.
But combined with elite performances, the case becomes stronger.
One World Cup complication
Despite Spain’s success, the World Cup did not produce a clear individual winner.
Rodri was named one of the tournament’s standout players and is also a major Ballon d’Or contender.
Yamal finished with one goal and one assist, not dominant numbers.
That could split votes among Spanish players.
It also explains why Mendes’ claim is so bold.
There are several strong candidates.
Rodri and Mbappé in the race
Rodri is a major rival after his World Cup influence and previous Ballon d’Or pedigree.
Mbappé also remains in contention after scoring 10 goals at the tournament and another huge club season.
France did not win the World Cup, but his individual output remains elite.
Ballon d’Or voting is not only about trophies.
Performance still matters most.
Other contenders
Harry Kane, PSG stars like Kvaratskhelia, and defending winner Ousmane Dembélé are also in the conversation.
This is not a one-man race.
That makes Mendes’ comments even stronger.
He believes the debate should already be settled.
Mendes has backed Yamal before
Mendes also supported Yamal in the previous Ballon d’Or race, where he finished second in 2025 behind Dembélé.
At the time, Mendes predicted Yamal would eventually win the award.
Now his case is even stronger.
Yamal has added La Liga, improved his numbers, and won the World Cup.
And he is still only 19.
Could he make history?
If Yamal wins in 2026, he would become the youngest Ballon d’Or winner ever.
Ronaldo Nazário currently holds the record at 21.
Yamal would be just 19.
That would rewrite football history.
Even for him, it would be a defining milestone.
Nominees not yet confirmed
France Football has not yet released the official 30-man shortlist.
Yamal is expected to be included and is already a leading favourite.
The shortlist is expected in September, with the winner announced in London on October 26.
Why Mendes’ words matter
Mendes is not neutral, but he is one of football’s most powerful agents.
His comments always attract attention.
They also shape public debate around major awards.
The race is underway
The season is over and the World Cup is finished.
No more matches will change the picture.
Now the debate begins.
Stats, trophies, and performances will all be compared.
Mendes has already made his choice clear.
His vote goes to Lamine Yamal.
From runner-up to world champion
Yamal finished second in 2025.
Now he has returned with an even stronger season.
Barcelona won La Liga again.
He was the league’s best player.
He scored 24 goals in all competitions.
And he became a World Cup winner.
From wonderkid to global star in just one year.
Mendes’ final view
Rodri, Mbappé, and others all have strong cases.
The vote could be close.
But Mendes sees no debate.
To him, Yamal’s talent, output, and trophies already settle it.
For the super-agent, there is only one name for the 2026 Ballon d’Or: Lamine Yamal.
