There was supposed to be no campaign. Flick is already backing Yamal for the Ballon d’Or

Before Barcelona’s meeting with Feyenoord, Lamine Yamal insisted that he would not campaign or beg for the Ballon d’Or. The decision belonged to the journalists, he said. It sounded restrained and suitably different from Kylian Mbappé openly admitting that he believed he had a chance of winning.

One day later, Barcelona beat Feyenoord 5-1 and Hansi Flick abandoned the diplomatic approach. The German declared that Yamal deserved the award. There is still no campaign, apparently—just a candidate, a supportive coach and a remarkably well-coordinated message.

FIRST CAME THE PROMISE OF NO CAMPAIGN

Yamal was asked about the Ballon d’Or during the press conference before the Feyenoord match. He said he did not need to campaign and would not beg anyone to vote for him. His performances for Barcelona and Spain would have to make the case.

Flick was more cautious at the time. He said Barcelona had several outstanding players and that he would be happy if any of them won. Choosing or promoting a candidate, he added, was not his job.

That position survived for roughly one match.

A 5-1 WIN QUICKLY CHANGED THE MESSAGE

Barcelona opened their Champions League campaign by defeating Feyenoord 5-1 at Spotify Camp Nou. Yamal scored from a free-kick in the 77th minute to make it 4-0.

Flick was then asked directly whether the winger deserved the Ballon d’Or. His answer was emphatic.

“He is my player, so of course I think so. He deserves to win the Ballon d’Or. He is an exceptional, special player. Anyone who watches his matches knows that he deserves it,” the Barcelona coach said.

Yamal therefore did not have to launch the campaign himself. His manager was happy to handle the announcement.

MBAPPÉ SAID LESS AND RECEIVED MORE CRITICISM

Two days earlier, Mbappé had also answered a direct question about the award. He explained that representing Real Madrid naturally places a player in discussions about the biggest individual prizes. He said this could be a good year for him, while stressing that journalists would decide who wins.

Mbappé did not declare himself the winner or demand anyone’s vote. He simply backed his own candidacy. Yet his response was described by “El País” as self-promotion and contrasted with Yamal’s promise that he would not campaign.

Flick’s post-match statement made that distinction rather difficult to maintain. If Mbappé’s honest answer was campaigning, publicly declaring that Yamal deserves to win cannot suddenly become something entirely different because it came from the Barcelona bench.

THE CAMPAIGN THAT REFUSES TO USE ITS NAME

“El País” reported that Barcelona had changed its approach after the previous Ballon d’Or race and intended to give Yamal stronger backing this time. The newspaper also reported that the club put the 19-year-old in front of the media after José Mourinho and Mbappé had spoken about the Real Madrid forward’s candidacy.

There is nothing wrong with Barcelona supporting Yamal. He is an outstanding footballer with a legitimate case, and his goal in the 5-1 victory over Feyenoord added another strong performance to his season.

The double standard is the interesting part. Confidence from Mbappé is labelled ego and self-promotion. Yamal says he will not campaign, Barcelona brings him to the press conference and Flick declares him the deserving winner a day later. Apparently it only becomes a campaign when the message comes from Madrid.