Ballon d'Or: Rashford believes Yamal could win seven awards
By the AFREEQUE newsroom, based on Daily Post
Marcus Rashford believes Lamine Yamal has the talent to win up to seven Ballons d'Or during his career. The Manchester United forward considers the young FC Barcelona player particularly close to Lionel Messi's level, according to Mundo Deportivo.
Manchester United forward Marcus Rashford believes FC Barcelona winger Lamine Yamal could win seven Ballons d'Or during his career. The England international made the prediction during a question-and-answer session with Manchester United supporters at Old Trafford, ahead of the Champions League match against Roma, Mundo Deportivo reports.
Rashford, who was on loan at Barcelona the previous season, explained that he had been able to train and play with Yamal before leaving the Catalan club. He described the 19-year-old winger as the player whose level he considers closest to Lionel Messi's and said he had already told him that he was superior to the other highly talented players he had played alongside, according to Mundo Deportivo.
Yamal finished eighth in the Ballon d'Or rankings in 2024, second in 2025 behind Ousmane Dembélé, and third in 2026 behind Harry Kane and Kylian Mbappé. He also won the Kopa Trophy for the third consecutive year, according to Mundo Deportivo. A possible seventh Ballon d'Or would put him just one award behind Lionel Messi's record of eight, and two ahead of Cristiano Ronaldo, who has won five.
Rashford's statement comes after Yamal established his place among the world's leading players at just 19. The two players shared the previous season at FC Barcelona.
