Lamine Yamal claims he and Mbappe are world’s best, backs himself for Ballon d’Or

Barcelona winger Lamine Yamal has declared himself and Real Madrid forward Kylian Mbappe the two best players in the world while insisting that he deserves to win this year’s Ballon d’Or.

Yamal made the claim in an interview with Movistar, where he was asked about his standing among the world’s top players.

“Kylian Mbappe and I, we are the two best in the world,” Yamal said.

“But I think I am the one who deserves to win the Ballon d’Or.”

Both Yamal and Mbappe are among the 30 players shortlisted for this year’s Ballon d’Or award.

Yamal enjoyed a successful campaign, winning the LaLiga, Copa del Rey and World Cup titles with Barcelona.

Mbappe, meanwhile, finished as the top scorer in the Champions League, LaLiga and World Cup during the year under review.

The two forwards are therefore among the leading contenders for the prestigious individual award, with Yamal backing himself to claim the prize ahead of his Real Madrid rival.