Barcelona president Joan Laporta backs Lamine Yamal to win Ballon d’Or

Barcelona president Joan Laporta says he is convinced Lamine Yamal will eventually win the Ballon d’Or, despite the teenager missing out on the men’s award this time.

Laporta, who left London with a message of confidence in Barcelona’s future, said Yamal “deserved it” and that he accepted Harry Kane’s triumph in the vote with sporting respect.

“I am convinced he will win the Ballon d’Or. I do not know when, but he deserved it,” Laporta said.

Yamal did, however, claim the world’s best young player award for a third consecutive year. Laporta said that achievement underlined the exceptional nature of the forward’s career, which began to attract major attention when he was 16.

“From my point of view, he did enough to win the Ballon d’Or, but the voters decided it this way and we must accept it in a sporting manner,” Laporta said.

“I hope this motivates him personally. I am sure it will. All his team-mates will help him get over this disappointment quickly.”

Laporta added: “We must give him love and support because he deserves it.”

He said Yamal’s record was unique and that Barcelona would help him remain motivated to compete for the prize next year.

“This is something unique, and Lamine has achieved it since he was 16. It is an accomplishment worthy of recognition,” Laporta said. “He deserves everything, and we will all help him to be even more motivated to win the award next year.”

Laporta remains confident after El Clasico defeat

Laporta also addressed Barcelona’s defeat by Real Madrid, calling for the result to be accepted in the same sporting spirit while insisting the loss would not alter the club’s ambitions for the season.

He backed the team to recover and described the setback as an opportunity to identify mistakes and improve.

“We must accept the defeat in a sporting manner and use it as motivation to move forward. Our ambitions this season have not changed,” he said.

The Barcelona president pointed to the team’s strong start to the campaign and said the club would continue working in the same way.

“We started the season very well and we will continue along the same path. I am sure of that,” Laporta said.

He also offered his support to manager Hansi Flick, saying the German had already analysed what happened in the defeat.

“This loss will help us learn from our mistakes and improve the areas where we need to develop,” Laporta said. “The truth is that I remain proud of my players and my coach, and Barcelona fans can feel reassured.”

Barcelona are listed to face Deportivo Alaves in La Liga on 31 October 2026. The listed Nations League – Path One schedule includes Czechia and Spain on 12 November 2026.