Monchi don force to apologise to Espanyol supporters after im talk im mind about Ballon d’Or candidates around one week ago.
Dem ask am to name im pick, and the Catalan side sporting director choose Barcelona star Lamine Yamal.
E be bold call because of the strong rivalry between the two sets of fans, but Monchi get why im talk am, and e explain before e beg pardon.
Monchi tell Cadena SER: ‘Dem ask me to choose between Kylian Mbappé, Harry Kane and Lamine Yamal, so I choose Yamal because na him be the Spanish option.’
E continue: ‘Dat one cause some controversy among our fans. If anybody vex, then I apologise.’
‘Of course, as Espanyol fan, I for fit choose somebody else. I no mean to offend. I know wetin e mean to be Espanyol fan. I don feel say I belong to dem from the very beginning, and if anybody feel offended, then I apologise.’
E round off and stress im pride for the club: ‘E be like wearing the Spanish flag.’
The Ramón Sánchez-Pizjuán dey prepare for capacity crowd when Spain face Croatia on Tuesday for the second round of this season Nations League.
Seville dey eager to welcome the two-time world champions – who go unveil dia second star in front of home crowd – for stadium wey don long feel like home.
Spain never lose there: in 25 matches since the stadium open in 1958, dem record 20 wins and five draws.
E be remarkable record for side wey now unbeaten in 39 consecutive games.
The Andalusian capital also want see the superstar wey dey pursue Ballon d’Or after performance against England at Wembley (where the two stars first show) on Saturday wey strengthen im case.
Days after e provide two assists as Barcelona beat stubborn Sevilla – and even get small exchanges with the home supporters – Lamine Yamal return to the same ground with Spain.
The player from Rocafonda still dey intent on winning France Football award for the year best player, as e tell several English correspondents.
‘To be completely honest, no be just this year I don play at Ballon d’Or level. I don dey do am for longer. Everybody know that; dem know say I dey make difference,’ Yamal talk.
E believe im age fit affect how people see im chances: ‘I think people talk, Lamine na 19. He go win am at some point, so make we go for somebody else…’
Voting close on Monday, September 28, so the match against Croatia no go get any bearing on the Ballon d’Or decision.
But Yamal insist say e go keep pushing until e win am: ‘I just get to win, win and win, and eventually there no go be debate. Some people go like me; others go talk, This guy annoying, and that fine.’
Yamal opening goal against England na im eighth for Spain in 34 appearances.
Add im 13 assists and e get 21 direct goal contributions for the national team.
All that at 19.
Im World Cup numbers more modest than usual – one goal and one assist – but Yamal don start this season at remarkable rate.
Following Saturday match, e get nine goals and six assists in nine competitive appearances.
Across Spain games, seven LaLiga matches and one Champions League fixture for Barcelona, e dey average goal a game and almost assist a game.
At club level, though, teammate Raphinha don somehow overshadow am: the Brazilian get 14 goals and four assists, including one against Australia on Friday.
The teenager dey in running for the prestigious prize this year.
Joao Felix don describe Lamine Yamal as ‘pure football’ and back the Barcelona star to win the 2026 Ballon d’Or.
The Portugal international, wey spend time at Barca on loan, talk say Yamal be the type of player wey dey keep fans ‘glued to the TV.’
‘I always maintain say Ballon d’Or dey go to player wey you see and think, Wow. This na star and e deserve to be remembered for football history,’ e tell AS.
‘If there be player wey dey keep you glued to TV, na Lamine.’
‘E true say Mbappé and Kane don get great seasons, but Lamine na pure football.’
‘E also win World Cup. In World Cup years, winning am always crucial to dey closer to Ballon d’Or.’
After winning World Cup with Spain, Yamal don start season in great form for Barcelona.
The teenage also dey impress with Spain again, scoring in Saturday 3-1 win over England.
