Álvaro Morata has thrown his weight behind Lamine Yamal as a genuine contender for this year’s Ballon d’Or, arguing the Barcelona teenager deserves recognition for qualities that extend far beyond his headline-grabbing performances. Speaking to COPE, the Leganés striker positioned Yamal alongside Rodri, Kylian Mbappé and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia among his leading candidates for the award.
Morata highlights the unseen work behind Yamal’s rise
Rather than focus on Yamal’s celebrated technical gifts—his creativity, confidence and ball control have already made him one of world football’s most recognisable young talents—Morata centred his case on preparation and professionalism. “He is much smarter and much harder-working than many people think, the way he studies matches and prepares for them,” the former Real Madrid forward told COPE.
That assessment offers a corrective to how Yamal is typically discussed. While Barcelona’s winger has dominated European football from an unusually young age, Morata’s endorsement suggests his intelligence in reading the game and rigorous approach to match analysis remain underappreciated. The 16-year-old’s ability to process information off the pitch, he implies, underpins his on-field brilliance.
Barcelona’s campaign gains momentum as the deadline approaches
Yamal remains among the frontrunners to claim the Ballon d’Or, with Barcelona actively championing their teenage sensation despite fierce competition from Mbappé. Manager Hansi Flick, sporting director Deco and club president Joan Laporta have all publicly backed him for the honour.
Victory would mark a watershed moment in the award’s history. Yamal would become both the youngest winner and the first teenager ever to receive the accolade, cementing a precocious trajectory that has already reshaped Barcelona’s attacking options.
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Why Morata’s perspective carries weight in the conversation
Morata’s support carries particular significance given his own experience navigating elite European football from a young age. His emphasis on Yamal’s analytical approach—the work that happens away from stadium lights—reframes the debate beyond talent alone. In doing so, he addresses a question that often determines whether young players sustain excellence: whether their professionalism matches their ability. For Yamal, Morata’s verdict is clear on both counts.
