Joao Felix picks Barcelona superstar over Mbappe for Ballon d’Or: ‘He has you glued to the screen’

Joao Felix picks Barcelona superstar over Mbappe for Ballon d’Or: ‘He has you glued to the screen’ Former Barcelona and Atletico Madrid forward Joao Felix has backed Lamine Yamal to win this year’s Ballon d’Or , placing the Barcelona winger ahead of Kylian Mbappe and Harry Kane in his personal assessment. Speaking to AS , Felix, now playing for Al Nassr in Saudi Arabia, explained that Yamal’s ability to make fans stop and watch separates him from the other leading candidates. The Portuguese forward also addressed his own absence from the Ballon d’Or shortlist, insisting that it is not something he has been particularly concerned about. Joao Felix picks Lamine Yamal over Mbappe Felix was asked to name his favourite for the award and based his choice largely on the entertainment and influence Yamal brings whenever he plays. Explaining why the Barcelona teenager stands out to him, Felix said, Joao Felix has picked his Ballon d’Or favourite. (Photo by Abdullah Ahmed/Getty Images) “I’ve always maintained that the Ballon d’Or is for that player who, when you see him, makes you say: ‘This is a star and he deserves to go down in football history’.  “And if there’s one player who, when you switch on the telly, has you glued to the screen watching him play, it’s Lamine,” he said. Felix acknowledged the seasons produced by Mbappe and Kane, but believes Yamal’s combination of individual brilliance and international success gives him a particularly strong case.   “It’s true that Mbappe and Harry Kane have had a great season, but Lamine is football personified. “What’s more, he’s won the World Cup, and in World Cup years, winning it is always very important if you want to be in with a better chance of the Ballon d’Or.” Felix relaxed after missing Ballon d’Or shortlist Lamine Yamal is one of the favourites to win the Ballon d’Or. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images) The former Barcelona forward was also asked about his own absence from the nominees.  The attacker said he had not been following the selection process closely and was not particularly bothered by his omission. “Those aren’t things that depend on me; I don’t know who chooses who or who doesn’t. I wasn’t worried about it. I didn’t even know when the list would be published. I’m relaxed about it.  “People see the Saudi league as a bit underrated; of course it’s not in the top five, but it’s a good league. I’ve had a great season, but I’m relaxed…  “Perhaps if we’d gone further in the World Cup, I might have been on it, but I don’t know,” he concluded.