Yamal Handles Referee Question, Ballon d'Or Talk and Dembele Jab With Ease at Barcelona Presser

Lamine Yamal was the man chosen to sit alongside Hansi Flick ahead of Barcelona's Champions League opener against Feyenoord on Wednesday, and once again, the teenager showed he's got a knack for handling the media.

Reporters threw a lot at him, from Real Madrid's complaints about refereeing after their weekend loss to Real Betis, to his own chances of winning this year's Ballon d'Or following a big season with Barcelona and a World Cup win with Spain. As usual, Yamal answered everything with a composure well beyond his years.

On the Real Madrid refereeing complaints, Yamal didn't hold back. "I don't know, if they haven't won in years, that's their problem. Ask them. We're happy with the refereeing," he said.

When it came to the Ballon d'Or, he made it clear he isn't interested in trying to win people over. "No, I don't think I need to campaign to win the Ballon d'Or. I don't have to convince you of anything. I've done a very good job this year, and I don't have to beg you to vote for me to win it. I don't think it depends on me, but on the journalists. The work I've done with the team and the national team has been incredible. If it happens, I'll be grateful to everyone. Although I think I have a chance."

He was also asked about Ousmane Dembele reportedly backing Kylian Mbappe over him for the award, and Yamal laughed it off without any bitterness. "He's friends with Kylian, right? Honestly, I don't mind. It's normal, I get along really well with Dembélé, and it's normal that I have to include other people. There's no need to show off the year I've had."

Ballon d'Or talk tends to get tiresome fast, and Yamal seems to know exactly that, choosing to stay above it rather than get dragged into campaigning. Given the season he's had, he doesn't really need to. And even if the award doesn't come his way this year, there's little doubt he'll get plenty more chances in the future.