Barcelona sporting director Deco has thrown his weight behind Lamine Yamal as the 2026 Ballon d’Or favourite, saying the teenage winger’s performances for club and country make his case difficult to ignore.
Deco made the comments during an interview with RAC1, adding to growing support for Yamal inside Barcelona. Coach Hansi Flick has also publicly backed the 19-year-old, saying there is nobody like him and that he deserves the award.
The timing is significant. The official 30-player Lamine Yamal Ballon d’Or 2026 shortlist was announced this week, with Harry Kane, Kylian Mbappé, Erling Haaland and Lionel Messi among the other major contenders.
Barcelona Is Making Yamal’s Case
The Ballon d’Or campaign is becoming increasingly visible. Yamal finished second in the 2025 Ballon d’Or voting behind Ousmane Dembélé and has since added another strong season with Barcelona and Spain. He also won the Kopa Trophy for the second consecutive year.
His case has now gained another boost from Barcelona’s leadership. Deco pointed to Yamal’s decisive performances and his ability to influence important matches rather than simply produce numbers.
Yamal, however, has taken a different approach. Asked about the award after the shortlist was announced, he said he would not campaign or beg for the prize, arguing that his performances should speak for themselves.
Kane Still Leads the Race
Deco’s backing does not make Yamal the clear favourite everywhere. Recent Ballon d’Or rankings have placed Harry Kane at the top after his huge scoring season with Bayern Munich and England. Kane scored 73 goals across club and country and helped Bayern win a treble before England’s World Cup run.
That leaves Yamal facing strong competition, with Mbappé, Haaland and other stars also in contention. The final vote will therefore come down to more than Barcelona’s public support. Yamal’s performances for Spain and Barcelona will have to convince journalists voting on the award.
Deco Also Explains Barcelona’s Transfer Choices
The RAC1 interview also revealed how Barcelona are approaching their squad beyond Yamal.
Deco said Barcelona made a formal offer for Julián Álvarez, with a proposed payment structure spread across three years, but Atlético Madrid refused to sell the Argentine forward.
He also discussed Bernardo Silva, saying Barcelona had wanted the midfielder but financial limitations and concerns about playing time prevented the move.
Those decisions reflect a wider strategy at Barcelona: develop young players, protect squad balance and avoid forcing expensive transfers when the conditions are not right.
For Yamal, that approach has already paid off. Barcelona are increasingly building both their team and their identity around a player who could now become their strongest Ballon d’Or candidate in years.
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