Lamine Yamal is once again at the centre of the Ballon d’Or debate, having finished second in the last edition at the age of 18.

The Barcelona star, a world champion with Spain and a three-time league winner, sat down with L’Equipe (h/t SPORT ) to discuss his candidacy for the award, his evolution, the dressing room and Barcelona’s recent Champions League exits, among other things.

Lamine reflected on last year’s ceremony, when he arrived with a genuine chance of winning before Ousmane Dembele took the prize.

“There aren’t many 18-year-olds who go to a Ballon d’Or ceremony thinking they have options to win,” he said.

Rather than viewing Dembele’s victory as a frustration, Lamine saw the positives. “I see it as an achievement. I finished second at 18 years.”

The Barcelona man also offered his own interpretation of what the award should represent.

“It’s the prize for the best player of the year, the different player, the one who’s glad to see play, the one who has that magic, who makes you smile, who makes you want to watch a game just for him, ” he said.

Yamal is a strong contender for the Ballon d’Or. (Photo by Fran Santiago/Getty Images)