Yamal won La Liga, the Copa del Rey and the Supercopa de Espana with the Spanish giants last season but finished as runner-up in the 2025 Ballon d’Or vote behind Paris Saint-Germain star Ousmane Dembele.
The Barcelona star won the Kopa Trophy for the best young player, but many felt it was not enough for the Spaniard who is widely deemed to be one of the best players on the planet.
Yamal told Mundo Deportivo this week that he does not think much about the Ballon d’Or as he concentrates on the best player he can be rather than focusing on statistics.
“I don’t think about it. It’s an award that, if you think about it, you’re not going to get an answer. It depends on what you win, how you play, and who votes. It’s not something that is decided by your play.
“I just want to enjoy myself and win with Barca and the national team.
“My game is not based on that (stats). It’s true that it creates controversy because when I play well, I don’t score, and when I score, I don’t play well, but I want to play well, for the team to win, and to keep it that way.”
Barca have already claimed the Spanish Super Cup this season and are still in the mix in La Liga, the Copa del Rey and the Champions League ahead of the World Cup where Yamal has a serious chance to go on to lift the Ballon d’Or if he finds success.