María Trisac Takes Aim at Mbappé and Lamine Yamal Over Ballon d’Or Campaigns

The Ballon d’Or debate has become increasingly intense as Kylian Mbappé and Lamine Yamal emerge as two of the most discussed names in the race for the prestigious individual award.

But Spanish journalist María Trisac has now criticized what she sees as excessive campaigning around the two players.

Speaking on El Chiringuito, Trisac argued that the current Ballon d’Or conversation has reached a level she finds exhausting, particularly with players and figures around them repeatedly discussing their credentials.

“I don’t remember anything like this. It’s simply exhausting, genuinely exhausting. It’s already bordering on an obsession,” Trisac said.

Trisac compares Mbappé and Yamal with Ronaldo and Messi

Trisac specifically brought up Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi when making her point.

She acknowledged that both superstars have publicly spoken about their own ability in the past, including Ronaldo’s famous claims about being the best. However, she argued that neither player conducted what she considers a sustained public campaign to convince people to give them the Ballon d’Or.

“We’ve seen Ronaldo say ‘I am the best’ many times. Or even Messi say things like that. But I have never seen Leo or Cristiano run a PR campaign or beg for the award,” she said.

Her comments come after both Mbappé and Yamal have spoken publicly about their respective cases for the award.

Mbappé has said that winning the Ballon d’Or is an objective for any player but insisted that it is not an obsession for him. He has pointed to his individual performances and goalscoring record as reasons why he believes he has a strong case.

Yamal, meanwhile, has also openly discussed his ambitions. In a recent interview with Spanish television, the Barcelona winger said there are few players who can provide the same level of entertainment that he does.

De la Fuente also enters the debate

Trisac also criticized the involvement of Spain head coach Luis de la Fuente in the Ballon d’Or discussion.

According to the journalist, the debate has increasingly become a collective campaign involving not only the players themselves but also coaches and other football figures.

“And today, Luis de la Fuente is joining in as well to campaign for the Ballon d’Or for his players. We’re entering some strange dynamic where you have to beg for the prize,” she added.

Her comments reflect her own view of how the Ballon d’Or conversation has developed rather than an objective assessment of the candidates’ chances.

With the award ceremony approaching, however, Mbappé and Yamal remain central figures in the discussion, ensuring that the debate is unlikely to disappear anytime soon.