FC Barcelona has Lamine Yamal as its only nominee for the best player of the month of September in LaLiga EA Sports. The 17-year-old winger has 3 goals and 5 assists (tournament leader) in 6 games played (616 minutes), being an undisputed figure of the great start of the culé in the tournament along with Raphinha and Robert Lewandowski. Although the Brazilian (5 goals) and the Pole (Pichichi with 6 goals) have also shone in the first month of competition, LaLiga forgot about both in its list of nominees.
And, along with Lamine, appear Iñaki Williams (1 goal and 4 assists with Athletic), Giovani Lo Celso (3 goals with Betis), Carlos Vicente (2 goals with Alavés) and Kylian Mbappé (5 goals and 1 assistance with Real Madrid). LaLiga wanted to give more 'variety' in its options for nominees for best player of the month, including five players from different clubs to have more diversity in the voting public.
Barça has two other nominees in the categories of best U-23 (Marc Casadó) and best coach (Hansi Flick). The German coach is the big favorite to win the award after leading Barça to a perfect start to the League in 6 games, with 22 goals for and 5 against. The Catalan midfielder will have more competition in his category, since he must compete with Alberto Moleiro (Las Palmas), Hugo Álvarez (Celta), Enzo Moyano (Osasuna) and Vitor Roque (Betis).
LaLiga 'rewards' Mbappé's penalties and 'punishes' Lewandowski
LaLiga's most controversial decision, in terms of the best player of the month category, is to leave out the current top scorer of the tournament, Lewandowski, to include players like Lo Celso or Vicente who, between them, cannot reach the number of goals converted by the Polish. On the contrary, Mbappé was considered for the award, although 3 of his 5 goals have come via penalties. The 'White House' only has the Frenchman and Carlo Ancelotti (best manager) among the nominees.