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Barcelona star Lamine Yamal has reacted to finishing third in the 2026 Ballon d’Or rankings, insisting that his moment to win football’s biggest individual award will eventually come. Bayern Munich striker Harry Kane claimed the award on Monday night, while Kylian Mbappé finished second and Yamal took third place.Despite missing out on the top prize, the 19-year-old winger has remained optimistic about his future and reaffirmed his commitment to helping Barcelona win trophies.
Yamal Shares Message After Ballon d’Or Disappointment
Taking to Instagram, Yamal expressed confidence that he would have another opportunity to win the prestigious award.
“IT WILL COME,” he wrote, adding that good things take time and that he trusts the path he is building. The Barcelona forward also stressed that he was not in a hurry, saying he remained hopeful and confident that his opportunity would arrive one day. Yamal congratulated the winners and made it clear that his immediate priority was helping Barcelona return to winning ways.
His message suggests that, rather than allowing the result to distract him, he intends to use the experience as motivation for the challenges ahead.
Barcelona Aim to Respond After Recent Defeats
Yamal’s comments come at a difficult moment for Barcelona, who have reportedly suffered disappointing defeats against Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League and Real Madrid in La Liga. The results have increased the importance of their upcoming fixtures as the team looks to regain momentum.
With coach Hansi Flick leading the side, Barcelona will be keen to respond in their next league match against Alavés before turning their attention to subsequent challenges involving Aston Villa and Atlético Madrid. Yamal’s attacking quality could be important as the Catalan club attempts to improve its results and maintain its position in the league.
Can Yamal Win the Ballon d’Or in the Future?
At 19, Yamal still has years ahead of him to compete for football’s biggest individual honours. His third-place finish places him among the leading contenders in the 2026 rankings, although future success will depend on his performances and Barcelona’s achievements. For now, the young winger appears focused on collective success rather than dwelling on the award he missed.
His message is clear: he believes his opportunity will come, but his immediate goal is to help Barcelona win again.