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 ackno...