Nico Williams Backs Lamine Yamal for Ballon d’Or After Spain Win
Ballon d’Or voting has closed, leaving Lamine Yamal to await the October 26 ceremony in London after Nico Williams publicly backed his Spain team-mate for the award.
Williams made his case after Spain’s 4-1 win over Croatia in Seville, where Yamal struck twice and created another goal. The Barcelona forward had also scored early in the previous match against England at Wembley, while Williams completed the Croatia victory with a fierce effort in the final minute.
“For me, Lamine should win it,” Williams said after the match, arguing that anyone who understands and enjoys football can see Yamal is the outstanding player.
Yamal among leading contenders
The 19-year-old is again in the Ballon d’Or conversation after a campaign featuring another Liga title, the Spanish Super Cup and World Cup success with Spain in the United States.
Yamal finished second to Ousmane Dembele last year and is now in contention alongside Kylian Mbappe and Harry Kane.
Spain’s next fixtures
- Spain’s victory over Croatia extended their unbeaten run to 40 matches and secured first place in Nations League Group A3.
- Luis de la Fuente’s world champions host Czechia on Saturday.
- Spain then travel to Croatia three days later to close the international window.
- Yamal will learn the Ballon d’Or result at the London gala on October 26.
