Espanyol Chief Monchi Apologises After Backing Barcelona Star Yamal for Ballon d'Or

Espanyol sporting director Monchi has apologised to the club's supporters after backing Barcelona winger Lamine Yamal to win the Ballon d'Or.

Monchi's comments caused a reaction among Espanyol fans because of the club's fierce rivalry with Barcelona. The former Sevilla and Aston Villa sporting director has only been in his role at Espanyol since earlier this year.

Explaining his choice, Monchi said he was asked to choose between Yamal, Kylian Mbappe and Harry Kane, and decided to support the Spanish player.

"I was asked [to pick] between [Kylian] Mbappé, the French option, [Harry Kane], the English option, and Lamine Yamal, the Spanish option," Monchi told Cadena Ser.

"I went for the Spanish option. It's generated a little bit of controversy among our fans, so if anyone was annoyed, I apologise."

Monchi admitted that he should have taken Espanyol's rivalry with Barcelona into account when making his choice.

"I supported the candidate from Spain, but as a Perico [someone connected to Espanyol] I should have said any other player," he said.

"I know what it means to be a Perico -- I have felt that sentiment since day one. I said Lamine Yamal looking at it from a Spanish point of view."

Yamal finished second to Paris Saint-Germain forward Ousmane Dembele in last year's Ballon d'Or and is again among the leading contenders for the award.

The 19-year-old helped Barcelona win LaLiga and Spain win the World Cup, while he has also spoken openly about his belief that he deserves the individual prize.

Real Madrid's Mbappe, Bayern Munich's Kane and Dembele are among the other players competing for the award, which will be presented at a ceremony in London on October 26.