Pascal Ferré backs Lamine Yamal over Kylian Mbappé in Ballon d’Or debate
Former France Football editor-in-chief Pascal Ferré has questioned whether Kylian Mbappé deserves to win this year’s Ballon d’Or, arguing that individual statistics should not outweigh the importance of major team achievements. With the award scheduled to be announced in London on October 26, Ferré has named Barcelona and Spain star Lamine Yamal as his preferred choice.
Ferré’s comments add fresh momentum to a closely watched football debate: should the sport’s most prestigious individual prize reward outstanding personal performance, or should success in major competitions carry greater weight? Mbappé’s goals and influence make him a prominent contender, but Ferré believes a lack of collective silverware leaves a significant gap in the forward’s case.
Why Ferré doubts Mbappé’s Ballon d’Or case
Speaking to French newspaper Ouest-France and broadcaster Radio Monte Carlo, Ferré argued that a player’s statistics cannot be considered in isolation. Goals, assists and individual brilliance matter, he said, but the Ballon d’Or should also reflect what a candidate has achieved with their team.
Ferré identified the World Cup and the UEFA Champions League as especially important competitions when assessing the leading players. In his view, a candidate who has won neither of those major trophies may appear to have an incomplete claim, even if their personal numbers are impressive. That position places team success near the centre of his Ballon d’Or prediction.
Mbappé remains one of the most recognisable and productive forwards in world football. His scoring record and status as the leading scorer at the World Cup have strengthened his argument, while his performances continue to attract attention from fans and voters. But Ferré’s assessment suggests that individual output alone may not be enough to secure the award if the season does not also bring the kind of major team triumph that traditionally shapes the conversation.
The disagreement reflects a longstanding challenge for Ballon d’Or voters. A forward can deliver outstanding numbers across a season, while another player may be judged more favourably because they helped their club or national team win a defining competition. There is no universally accepted formula, which is why the award regularly produces debate about how to balance personal quality, consistency and trophies.
Ferré criticises Mbappé’s public campaign
Ferré’s criticism was not limited to the trophies attached to Mbappé’s season. He also questioned the forward’s public comments about his own Ballon d’Or ambitions. Mbappé has discussed his candidacy in interviews, pointing to his goal tally and his achievement as the World Cup’s top scorer as evidence of his credentials.
On Radio Monte Carlo, Ferré described such direct self-promotion as unusual. He said he had spoken with several members of the voting panel who were uncomfortable with the repeated statements. The former editor’s concern was that a candidate might believe a series of media appearances could influence journalists responsible for casting votes around the world.
Ferré suggested that this approach showed a misunderstanding of the voting process. Ballon d’Or voters are based in different countries and bring their own views on what makes a player worthy of recognition. Publicly making the case for oneself may keep a candidate in the headlines, but it does not necessarily persuade voters—and, in Ferré’s view, could even create a negative impression.
That does not mean a player’s interviews should determine the result. The award is ultimately decided by voters assessing performances and achievements, rather than by a single comment or media appearance. Still, Ferré’s remarks underline how a candidate’s public image can become part of the wider discussion, particularly when the race is tight and supporters are comparing several credible contenders.
Why Lamine Yamal is Ferré’s pick
Ferré ended his assessment by backing Lamine Yamal, praising the Barcelona winger’s technical ability and the trophies he has won. Yamal has emerged as one of the most exciting young players in football, combining close control, creativity and confidence in high-pressure situations. His performances have made him a central figure in conversations about the game’s next generation of stars.
For Ferré, Yamal’s appeal rests on more than potential. The teenager’s influence on the pitch, together with his team achievements, gives him a compelling profile in a Ballon d’Or race where collective success is a key consideration. The endorsement also highlights a broader question facing voters: how much should they reward a player’s impact at a young age, especially when that player is already contributing at the highest level?
Yamal’s case may attract attention precisely because it combines individual flair with tangible success. His ability to create chances, take on defenders and change the rhythm of a match makes him valuable beyond the goals column. For voters looking at a complete football season, those qualities can strengthen an argument that might otherwise be reduced to simple statistical comparisons.
A Ballon d’Or prediction shaped by trophies and influence
Ferré’s comments do not settle the Ballon d’Or race, but they clarify the principles behind his prediction. He places substantial importance on success in major tournaments, questions the value of public campaigning and believes Yamal has both the talent and achievements to merit serious consideration. Mbappé, meanwhile, remains a formidable candidate whose individual record will continue to feature prominently in the debate.
As the October 26 announcement approaches, voters will have to weigh several competing measures: goals and assists, consistency across the season, performances in decisive matches, team trophies and a player’s overall influence. Supporters may prioritise different factors, but the central question is clear: should the award go to the most prolific individual, or to the player whose brilliance was matched by the greatest collective success?
Ferré has made his answer clear by backing Yamal. Whether voters agree will depend on how they interpret the season’s defining performances—and on which achievements they believe best represent the world’s top footballer.
