Mbappe names Lamine Yamal among his favourite young players amid Ballon d’Or battle: ‘He’s got it all’

Kylian Mbappe has once again endorsed himself for the Ballon d'Or, stating that nobody enjoyed a better individual season than him, while also offering high praise for Barcelona sensation Lamine Yamal.

The Real Madrid forward remains desperate to win the prestigious individual award for the first time, despite his second campaign at the Santiago Bernabeu failing to deliver the major team success he had hoped for.

Speaking to L'Equipe (h/t Mundo Deportivo ), Mbappe was unequivocal when asked about his Ballon d'Or credentials.

"Nobody had a better season last year than me," the French striker stated.

It is a bold claim, particularly with Yamal established among the leading contenders after a season in which the teenager combined spectacular numbers with a remarkable collection of honours.

Mbappe names Yamal among his favourite young stars

For what it is worth, Mbappe did not dismiss Yamal's challenge. Quite the opposite.

Mbappe has high praise for Lamine Yamal. (Photo by Yasser Bakhsh/Getty Images)

Asked about the young players he admires, the Real Madrid forward specifically singled out the Barcelona star, alongside a group of highly rated talents from across Europe.

"Among the young players, I like Lamine Yamal. He's got it all.

"I like Estevão – he's got a special creativity. Here, Arda Güler could go very far. Endrick has potential – he's a goalscorer. Warren (Zaïre-Emery) and Désiré (Doué) are bound to have great careers," he says.

Yamal's trophy haul strengthens his case

Yamal's Ballon d'Or argument is built around more than his individual brilliance.

The Barcelona forward has won the European Championship and World Cup with Spain, while also collecting the La Liga title and a Spanish Super Cup with Barcelona last season.

Lamine Yamal's case is also strong for Ballon d'Or debate. (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images)

He now wears the captain's armband for Barça , which is another indication of how quickly his status has risen.

Mbappe, by contrast, produced an outstanding individual campaign but Real Madrid did not turn his goals and performances into the major trophies expected at the Bernabéu.

The Ballon d'Or debate has a clear tension

That leaves the central question of this year's race: should extraordinary individual output outweigh collective success?

Mbappe believes his own performances deserve the award. Barcelona's hierarchy, including Hansi Flick and Deco, sees the case for Yamal differently .

At present, the Ballon d'Or contest looks increasingly like a battle between two players representing very different cases – Mbappe's individual dominance against Yamal's combination of performance, silverware and influence.