Bixente Lizarazu omitted Kylian Mbappé from his Ballon d'Or candidates, highlighting Lamine Yamal as the standout. Real Madrid's Dembélé and others remain in the race.
Lizarazu omits Mbappé from Ballon d'Or discussion
Bixente Lizarazu, a former French footballer, did not mention Kylian Mbappé when discussing potential Ballon d'Or winners during a Sunday television program, despite Mbappé being a contender for the prestigious individual award. The decision comes just days before the official announcement of the winner, who will succeed Ousmane Dembélé.Lizarazu emphasizes collective achievements
Lizarazu stated that his selection criteria prioritize collective success over individual brilliance. He highlighted players who contributed to major team achievements, such as the Champions League and the World Cup, naming Lamine Kvaratskhelia, Jules Koundé, and Ousmane Dembélé as his top candidates.Yamal stands out for individual brilliance
Among the candidates, Lizarazu singled out Lamine Yamal for his exceptional individual skills and recent performance improvements. While acknowledging Yamal’s World Cup was not his strongest, Lizarazu praised his achievements in the Spanish league and his overall impact on the field.Flick backs Yamal as world’s best
Hans-Dieter Flick, the coach of Barcelona, echoed Lizarazu’s sentiment, stating that Yamal is currently the best player in the world. Flick noted Yamal’s impressive stats, including nine goals and 10 decisive passes in his last nine matches across all competitions.
