Gerard Martín Backs Lamine Yamal for Ballon d’Or: ‘He Is the Best’
The 2026 Ballon d’Or race is entering its final stage, with voting approaching its deadline and Barcelona star Lamine Yamal receiving strong support from teammates and football figures around the world.
The 19-year-old is among the leading contenders for the prestigious individual award, facing competition from names such as Kylian Mbappé and Harry Kane.
Yamal’s case has received significant backing from his Barcelona and Spain teammates, while former stars including Zlatan Ibrahimović and Samuel Eto’o have also spoken positively about his chances.
Now, another Barcelona player has publicly made his preference clear.
Gerard Martín Chooses Lamine Yamal
Barcelona defender Gerard Martín has thrown his support behind Yamal, insisting that the teenager deserves the Ballon d’Or because he is currently the best player.
Speaking to TV3, Martín acknowledged that several factors are considered when determining the winner, but said the award should ultimately go to the best footballer.
“Many things are taken into consideration, but the Ballon d’Or should go to the best player, and the best is Lamine Yamal.”
However, Martín also made sure to recognise another Barcelona youngster who enjoyed an impressive campaign.
The defender believes Pau Cubarsí deserves to be positioned high in the Ballon d’Or rankings as well.
“But Cubarsí should also be there, if not on the podium then very high up, because he has had a great season.”
Martín also pointed out that centre-backs can sometimes receive less attention than attacking players when individual awards are discussed.
“Perhaps centre-backs are not as high-profile as players in other positions, but the season he has had at his age is very good and he has done enough.”
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Gerard Martín Approaching Barcelona Milestone
While discussing his teammates, Martín is also enjoying an important stage in his own Barcelona career.
The versatile defender is approaching 100 appearances for the club, underlining how much he has developed since establishing himself in the first team.
Initially operating primarily as a left-back, Martín has increasingly been used as a left-footed centre-back, giving Hansi Flick another option within his defensive setup.
The 2026 World Cup winner also believes Barcelona have matured significantly as a team.
According to Martín, the lessons learned from previous Champions League disappointments have helped the squad become better equipped to manage difficult moments.
Barcelona Have Learned From Past Champions League Setbacks
Martín specifically pointed to Barcelona’s dramatic Champions League elimination against Inter two years ago as an experience that changed the team.
“Now we would not let a game get away from us like we did two years ago against Inter in the Champions League, because since that day the team has gained more experience and is much more mature.”
He believes Barcelona have learned how to control different phases of matches instead of constantly playing at maximum intensity.
“We have learned to manage different phases of matches and decisive moments in which perhaps we were too impulsive at the time, because we went at everything at 100%.”
For Martín, that greater maturity could prove crucial as Barcelona pursue another deep Champions League run.
And while he has no hesitation about who he wants to see win the Ballon d’Or, his comments also highlight the strength of Barcelona’s emerging generation, with Yamal and Cubarsí both continuing to establish themselves among the club’s most important young players.
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