Espanyol sporting director Monchi apologizes for backing Lamine Yamal for Ballon d’Or

Monchi says comments were about wearing the Spanish flag

RCD Espanyol sporting director Monchi has offered apologies and explanations after stating that FC Barcelona star Lamine Yamal should win the Ballon d’Or, football’s highest individual honour.

Yamal plays for Barcelona, Espanyol’s crosstown rivals, and is among the favourites for the award after helping Spain win the FIFA World Cup.

"I was asked a question, and I stirred up a bit of controversy among the Perico fans. I apologize to anyone I offended," Monchi said on Spanish radio.

"I was given the choice of Kylian Mbappé (French), Harry Kane (English), or Lamine Yamal (Spanish), and I opted for the Spanish option."

Monchi acknowledged the sensitivity of the pick for the Espanyol chief.

"Obviously, as a Perico, I should have named anyone else," Monchi mused. "I didn’t do it out of any malice. I know what it means to have the Perico feeling; I’ve identified with it from day one and felt it on the street. If I offended anyone, I apologize, because it was really just a case of me wearing the Spanish flag."

The comments come ahead of a derby meeting between the two Catalan clubs. Barcelona are due to visit Espanyol at RCDE Stadium in Cornellà de Llobregat on January 3 of next year.