Lothar Matthaus has rejected Lamine Yamal's claim over this year's Ballon d'Or, saying no Spanish player did enough in the World Cup to justify winning the award. The 1990 winner still ranks Yamal ahead of Kylian Mbappé but believes Harry Kane is the favourite.
Why Lothar Matthaus Disagrees With Lamine Yamal's Ballon d'Or Claim
Yamal made his case in an interview with Movistar's Universo Valdano, saying he believes only two players are currently the best in the world. "For me, Kylian Mbappé and I are the best two players, and anyone who watches the matches knows that," he said.
Yamal also said he deserves the Ballon d'Or ahead of Mbappe after winning titles with Barcelona and Spain last season.
Matthaus, speaking on his Bild talk show Lothar legt los, disagreed with Yamal's claim. He said several Barcelona players won the league with the club before helping Spain win the World Cup, making it difficult to single out one player for the Ballon d'Or.
In Yamal's case, Matthaus said he does not see enough individual separation, describing the 19-year-old as "one of many" contributors to Spain's tournament win rather than the standout player. Matthaus also pointed to Yamal's form this season.
He said the 19-year-old has not consistently reached the level he showed in the past and has only recently started to rediscover that form. His argument is not that Yamal has had a poor season, but that he has not done enough to clearly stand above the other contenders.
How Matthaus Still Ranks Yamal Above Kylian Mbappé
Despite disagreeing with Yamal's claim, Matthaus made it clear that he still considers the Barcelona forward a serious contender. "This does not mean he has no chance," Matthaus said. "He has everything it takes to be a Ballon d'Or winner."
He questioned whether Yamal was the clear standout but did not rule him out of the race. Matthaus also gives Yamal the edge over Mbappé because of the trophies won this year.
"I believe that titles play a decisive role," he said, "which is why I see his chances as better than those of Mbappé, who hasn't won anything this year with Real Madrid or France."
Mbappé reached the World Cup semi-finals with France but did not win a major trophy with either his country or Real Madrid. Matthaus cited that lack of silverware as the main reason he ranks Mbappé behind Yamal.
Matthaus applied the same criteria when discussing Lionel Messi. He noted that Messi won MLS with Inter Miami and scored eight goals at the World Cup, but also missed two penalties during the tournament.
The German included those details when assessing Messi alongside the other Ballon d'Or contenders.
Why Harry Kane Remains Matthaus' Ballon d'Or Favourite
Matthaus still sees Harry Kane as the favourite. "I still see Harry Kane as the favourite," he said, pointing to Kane's individual numbers and team success. Kane won the Golden Shoe this season, scored at the World Cup, and also found the net in important Champions League matches.
Kane's team achievements strengthen his case. He won two titles with Bayern Munich during the season and reached the semi-finals of both the Champions League and the World Cup with England.
For Matthaus, Kane's goals and runs in the biggest competitions give him the edge over Yamal, Mbappé and Messi, who did not match the same level of individual and team success.”
Matthaus ranks Kane first, with Yamal ahead of Mbappé, while applying the same criteria when assessing Messi. The Ballon d'Or voting will determine the final result, but Matthaus has made his preferred ranking clear.
