Barcelona's young sensation, Lamine Yamal, has ignited controversy by publicly asserting his belief that he deserves to win the 2026 Ballon d'Or as the world's best player. He stated this on the 'Movistar Plus+' platform, claiming he and Kylian Mbappé are currently the two best players globally. This bold declaration followed an exceptional 2025-2026 season where Yamal won the Spanish League and Spanish Super Cup with Barcelona, and the 2026 World Cup with the Spanish national team. Former Barcelona defender Abelardo Fernández, 56, sharply criticized Yamal's comments, expressing displeasure with his tone. Abelardo cited Lionel Messi's modesty as a defining feature, contrasting it with Yamal's statement. He advised Yamal against such public claims, suggesting they make him "look bad" and that he hasn't "done anything positive" by making them. Abelardo also referenced similar comments by Real Madrid star Kylian Mbappé.