Samuel Umtiti has sparked controversy by picking Kylian Mbappé over Lamine Yamal for the upcoming Ballon d'Or. The former Barcelona defender, who wore the Blaugrana shirt for six seasons, made the comments on Saturday while working as a pundit ahead of the Madrid derby.
The 32-year-old Frenchman was clear about his personal vote for the prestigious individual award. "I'll tell you the best, because Kylian for me has had an incredible season, lots of goals, with his club and with the national team too," Umtiti stated. He added that he also valued what Jude Bellingham had done with the England national team, but that his nationality ultimately leaned him towards the Paris Saint-Germain forward.
Social media reaction
The words of the former player, who left Barça in 2023, have not been well received by a section of the club's supporters. On social media, many fans have expressed their displeasure at seeing a figure who defended the club's colours for years not supporting its current gem. Lamine Yamal, aged 19, is one of the three main candidates for the prize alongside Mbappé and Harry Kane, according to most analysts. The gala will be held in London next October.
Umtiti was part of the Blaugrana squad between 2016 and 2022, winning one league title, three Copa del Rey trophies and one Spanish Super Cup. His time at the club was marred by knee injuries that limited his performance in later years. After a loan spell at Lecce, the defender terminated his contract with Barcelona three years ago. His statement contrasts with the near-unanimous support Lamine Yamal receives within the entity, where he is seen as the future of the sporting project.
The Ballon d'Or debate intensifies with less than five weeks to go until the ceremony. Last season, Yamal was decisive in Barça's league triumph, contributing goals and assists from the right flank. His evolution can be tracked through his detailed numbers in our stats. The last time a Barcelona player won the award was in 2021, when Lionel Messi lifted it for a seventh time. The club hopes Yamal can break that three-year drought, although competition with Mbappé, top scorer at the last Euros, and Kane, the Premier League's top marksman, is fierce. The team's next fixture is a league match, with the full schedule available on fixtures.
