Barcelona winger Lamine Yamal has reacted to Ousmane Dembélé leaving him out of his top three Ballon d’Or picks.
Yamal joked that Dembélé’s decision could have been influenced by his friendship with Paris Saint-Germain forward Kylian Mbappé.
And on Wednesday football transfer expert Fabrizio Romano wrote on X: “Yamal, smiling: ‘He’s Kylian Mbappe’s friend, right?
The Spain international however insisted he does not hold any grudges against Dembélé and understands the Frenchman’s decision to select other players.
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I’m very happy with the season I had. I think every time we were against each other, I probably did something to turn them off me! And that’s normal,” said Yamal.
“I have a very good relationship with Ousmane and I understand that he wants to choose other players.
Yamal also had his faith in his own performances, saying his contribution during the course of the season was there for all to see.
“But I am very happy with what I delivered this year, and I am sure that everybody saw it, even if he did not,” he said.
Yamal’s remarks add a playful touch to the Ballon d’Or debate as he displays both confidence in his own season and respect for Dembélé despite not being included in the French star’s top three.