Gerard Martin’s endorsement fuels Lamine Yamal’s Ballon d’Or bid

Gerard Martin’s public backing of Barcelona’s teenage winger Lamine Yamal adds a high‑profile boost to the youngster’s Ballon d’Or campaign as the voting deadline looms, signalling strong support from within the club and raising expectations ahead of the final round of votes.

Yamal joins the Ballon d’Or race

FC Barcelona’s 19‑year‑old attacker Lamine Yamal is listed among the favourites for the Ballon d’Or, with competition coming from Kylian Mbappe and Harry Kane.

He has already attracted backing from his Barcelona and Spain teammates, while legends Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Samuel Eto’o have publicly endorsed his candidacy.

Gerard Martin told TV3 that “many things are taken into consideration, but the Ballon d’Or should go to the best player, and the best is Lamine Yamal.”

Martin also praises Cubarsi and nears a milestone

Martin used the platform to highlight fellow Barcelona defender Pau Cubarsi, saying the young centre‑back deserves a high placing for his impressive season.

Yamal leads the debate for the 2026 Ballon d’Or, backed by Mbappé

He also mentioned Barcelona teammate Now as another star he supports, underscoring the collective belief in the squad’s talent.

Martin is close to reaching his 100th appearance for Barcelona, a milestone that reflects his evolution from left‑back to left‑footed centre‑back.

Speaking about the club’s development, Martin said the side is now more mature, citing the improved handling of match phases and the avoidance of past impulsiveness, such as the loss to Inter in the Champions League two years ago.

Eto'o backs Lamine Yamal for the Ballon d'Or in London

His endorsement adds momentum to Yamal’s campaign as the Ballon d’Or vote draws to a close, while Martin’s own milestone underscores the growing experience within the Barcelona ranks.