Barcelona’s prodigiously talented forward Lamine Yamal recently stirred controversy by openly framing himself as a leading candidate for the honour. Following similar bold statements made by Real Madrid’s French international Kylian Mbappé, the Spanish teenager publicly staked his claim to the award during an appearance on Movistar Plus. Yamal asserted that, based on his individual achievements and recent successes, the two primary contenders for this year’s prize are Mbappé and himself.

His outspoken confidence has drawn criticism from former Barcelona defender Abelardo Fernández, who represented the Catalan club for eight seasons and earned 54 caps for Spain. While acknowledging that self-assurance is an important quality for elite athletes, Abelardo voiced concern over the wisdom of proclaiming oneself superior in public forums.

Abelardo cautioned that such declarations risk damaging a young player’s public image and personal standing. He suggested that Yamal could have expressed his ambition with greater humility and diplomatic reserve, pointing out that no candidate can guarantee the outcome of the final vote. Players often benefit from expressing gratitude and humility when included in discussions regarding prestigious awards, allowing their performances on the pitch to speak for themselves.

To reinforce his point, the former international defender cited the composure of Lionel Messi. Despite winning a record eight Ballon d’Or trophies and establishing himself as one of the greatest players in the history of the sport, Messi rarely, if ever, made boastful claims regarding his own superiority to the press. Abelardo noted that even at the peak of his career, Messi maintained a modest public profile, allowing his unprecedented achievements and natural talent to define his legacy.