Barcelona's Lamine Yamal has said that he and Real Madrid's Kylian Mbappé are the best players in the world, but it's him that deserves to win the Ballon d'Or this year.
Yamal, 19, continued his fine start to the season with a brace in Barça's 4-2 win over Levante on Sunday, taking his goal tally for the campaign to seven in just six matches.
He hopes it will strengthen his case to be named the best player in the world this past year after helping Barça win LaLiga and Spain win the World Cup.
The Ballon d'Or -- the most coveted individual prize in the game -- will be awarded at a ceremony in London on Oct. 26, with Yamal and Mbappé both in the running alongside the likes of Harry Kane and Ousmane Dembélé in an extremely open field.
"I would give it to the best player in the world," Yamal said in an interview with Movistar which will be aired later this week. "Who are they going to give it to? That's a very long conversation in itself. I honestly believe that there are maybe two of us who are the best in the world.
"And I think I deserve it this year because of what I've won. For me, Mbappé and I are the best in the world. It is clear to me. Everyone who watches the matches knows it."
Yamal has started the campaign in fine form, netting seven goals as Barça have won all five of their opening LaLiga games in addition to their Champions League curtain-raiser against Feyenoord.
However, despite touting himself as the best in the world, he feels he could have done even more at the World Cup this summer in North America.
After returning from a hamstring injury, Yamal featured in all eight of Spain's games as they won the competition for a second time, scoring one goal.
"After winning the World Cup, I wasn't happy," he added. "Obviously, I went into the tournament with an injury, but that has nothing to do with it.
"I would have performed as well without the injury. That said, I did a lot of things that people didn't see. For example, I think it's incredible for a coach to have a player who can drag three opponents along with him.
"But I wasn't happy with my own performance. I know another player performing at my level would have had a great World Cup, but for me, I could have done more. I did help the team, but I can't wait for the next [World Cup] to arrive."
Yamal's latest comments contrast with his remarks last week, when he said in a news conference that he would not "beg" to win the Ballon d'Or.
He was speaking after Madrid's Mbappé made his case to win the Ballon d'Or as the race to be named the best player in the world heats up ahead of October's ceremony.
