Neymar Backs Barcelona Star Lamine Yamal for Ballon d’Or Prize
Neymar has publicly backed Lamine Yamal for the Ballon d’Or, calling the Barcelona teenager “the best in the world” in a social-media post.
Key takeaways
- Neymar’s endorsement comes as Yamal waits for the Ballon d’Or result in London on 26 October.
- Yamal has produced eight goals and nine assists across his first 10 Barcelona appearances this season.
- Neymar’s 2017-18 PSG campaign included 25 goals and 16 assists in 27 matches.
- The Brazilian shared a graphic comparing the two attacking records before delivering his verdict.
- Neymar and Yamal have remained close since spending time together in Brazil in 2025.
Neymar makes his Ballon d’Or choice
The Santos forward posted an image featuring statistics from both players, with Yamal’s fast start to the current Barcelona campaign placed alongside Neymar’s standout season at Paris Saint-Germain.
Neymar delivered 25 goals and 16 assists in 27 outings during the 2017-18 season. Yamal, meanwhile, has already reached eight goals and nine assists after only 10 matches this term.
Those numbers prompted Neymar to offer an emphatic verdict on the 18-year-old winger, who has become one of Barcelona’s most decisive players at the start of the campaign.
What happens next for Yamal
Yamal now faces the wait for the Ballon d’Or ceremony, scheduled to take place in London on 26 October. The Barcelona attacker is looking to turn an exceptional opening month into football’s leading individual award.
Neymar’s support also reflects the pair’s relationship away from the pitch. They developed a friendship after spending time together on holiday in Brazil in 2025, and the former Barcelona star has now made clear where his vote of confidence lies.
