Roberto Martinez, the head coach of Portugal, has placed two players ahead of Barcelona’s Lamine Yamal in the running for the Ballon d’Or.
Martinez, however, praised Yamal as “the best at his position.”
While speaking on COPE’s El Partidazo program, he stated: “Lamine is the best in his position and has shown great consistency.
There is no talent who plays in his position and plays like that. We have to help him.”
When asked about his favourites for the Ballon d’Or, Martinez replied: “Vitinha and Nuno Mendes are far above the rest; at club level and because of their profile.
“Nuno Mendes, for me, is the best left-back I’ve ever seen. He can play on the outside and the inside. He’s very quick and has a good pass.
“I thought the perfect player didn’t exist, and Nuno is very close to that.”
Yamal has become one of the favourites for the award after scoring 21 goals and producing 25 assists in 62 games for club and country as Barca won the domestic treble. He was also instrumental in Spain reaching the Nations League final.
On the other hand, Vitinha and Mendes were part of the Paris Saint-Germain side that completed a clean sweep of all trophies available and lifted their maiden Champions League trophy
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