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Yamal is a contender for Ballon d’Or.
Photo credit: James Gill via Danehouse/Getty Images
The Ballon d’Or is coming up this fall and there’s a lot buzz around who could win it. One contender in particular, the 17-year-old Lamine Yamal, is sparking heated debate about his qualifications … and the possibility that the Spanish starlet might actually win.
The Ballon d’Or is the most coveted award in football. It’s awarded based on 3 main criteria.
- Individual performances with a strong and decisive character
- Team performances and achievements
- Class and fairness
Even though the Ballon d’Or award ceremony in 2025 is months away, there is already talk about who could win. There is no shortage of great players this season, but the conversation seems to be swinging towards three players in particular: Paris Saint-Germain’s Ousmane Dembélé, Barcelona’s Raphinha, and Lamine Yamal, also of Barcelona.
Lamine Yamal is a Spanish powerhouse and fan favourite. He has been a pain in the side for any team that has faced him since joining Barcelona Football Club 2023. Some consider him to be a football prodigy and one of the top players in the entire world. Football fans debate passionately about awards when it comes time to decide on the winners. Others dismiss the idea, saying it is pure folly. It is true that he has won. You can learn more about it here. He was just a teenager. While he was the star of the UEFA Nations League Semi-Final, scoring two goals to propel the team to the Final, he played a more minor role in the final. Portugal won the match. Bom jogo.
It would certainly be a considerable feat if he did win it, however; as of now, the youngest player to ever win the Ballon d’Or was Brazilian player Ronaldo Nazário, who was 21 at the time and had just joined Inter Milan, but won the award mostly based on his performance at Barcelona. Yamal, who is only 17 years old would be his senior by Four years. Yamal, a young footballer, has won more awards and accolades than Cristiano Cristiano did at the age of his career. Yamal already has several titles, awards and individual recognitions before he is old enough to drink alcohol legally. These include titles from La Liga, Supercopa de España, Copa del Rey, the Golden Boy award, and the Kopa Trophy. It’s not out of the question that come September, he may add the shining Ballon d’Or to his résumé.
However, not everyone supports Team Yamal. In an interview, French captain Kylian Mbappé publicly backed his teammate, Ousmane Dembélé: “Would I vote for Dembélé? Yes. This is not something that needs to be explained. People are talking about Lamine Yamal and Dembélé, but my choice is clear: I vote for Dembélé.” Indeed, Dembélé has played the best season of his career so far, scoring 33 goals and completing 15 assists in 49 total appearances.
Cristiano Cristiano, captain of the Portugal national team and football icon, dismissed Yamal’s chances in an interview. He had nothing but praises. “I think that whoever wins the award should be a member of a winning team.” Ronaldo stated that the Ballon d’Or should go to a team who has won Champions League. Inter Milan, the runners-up, eliminated Yamal’s Barcelona in the Champions League. Ronaldo also seems to have a problem with Raphinha from Brazil, who plays for Barcelona.
Ronaldo did say that Yamal is doing well. He has an excellent team and a great selection. […] Let the boy grow up in peace. Don’t put him under too much pressure. To the benefit of football, enjoy his talent many years into the future. Allow him to develop at his own pace. […] I think you could help him this way. “Leave him alone. He has plenty of talent.”
These sweet words were particularly well received, as Portugal and Spain met in a nail biting thriller in the UEFA Nations League Final on June 8, a game that was incredibly close. The grueling match ended in penalties after a neck-and-neck 2-2 battle. Portugal won, but there was a palpable tension and team captain CR7 cried tears of joy at the end.
No matter if he wins or loses the Ballon d’Or, “the kid”, as he is affectionately known in football circles, will go on to achieve many great things during his career.
The Ballon d’Or award will be presented on September 22nd, 2025 in Paris. May the best player be rewarded!
