Yamal fears his 19 years will undermine his Ballon d'Or chances

Lamine Yamar fears that his age of nineteen could be a disadvantage in the voting for the Ballon d'Or. The Spanish winger, who shone for Barcelona this season, sees the closing of the ballot boxes on Monday as crucial for the award.

Yamar's concerns and recent performances

He thinks voters might penalise him because he is only nineteen. Normally that age still leaves plenty of time to win the award later, but this year there is no clear favourite.

Yamar played phenomenally for Barcelona and won the World Cup with Spain, but could not really impress in the final stage. Nevertheless, many still consider him to be at Ballon d'Or level.

Spain advance in Nations League as Barcelona celebrates Yamal's goal

‘To be honest, I have been playing at Ballon d'Or level for a while now, everyone knows I am a difference‑maker’, says Lamine Yamar in an interview with the newspaper AS. He stresses that his impact is clear to everyone.

‘I think voters think: Lamine is nineteen, he will win it eventually anyway. So I support someone else’, he adds.

Spain reaffirms its global standing in Nations League debut

The ballot boxes for the Ballon d'Or close on Monday, making the Nations League match Spain‑England his last chance to convince doubters. The Ballon d'Or gala takes place on Monday 26 October.