Lamine Yamal is right in the running to become the youngest-ever winner of the Ballon d’Or in 2025.
The 17-year-old finished eighth in the final 2024 rankings and he is expected to push into at least the top five.
Barcelona teammates Raphinha, Pedri and Robert Lewandowski are also in the running alongside PSG talisman – and former Barcelona forward – Ousmane Dembele, after the Parisians secured their first-ever UEFA Champions League title.
If Lamine Yamal claims the award in September, he will smash the record as the youngest winner, currently held by Brazil icon Ronaldo Nazario who lifted it aged 21.
As part of Barcelona’s La Liga, Copa del Rey and Spanish Supercup treble, Lamine Yamal netted a superb 18 goals and laid on 21 assists across all competitions in 2024/25.
With Barcelona not involved in this summer’s FIFA Club World Cup, Lamine Yamal will wrap up the extended campaign on Nations League duty with Spain, where he comes face-to-face with Dembele.
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Spain take on France in the semi finals on June 5, in their first meeting since Lamine Yamal’s wonder goal in the 2-1 Euro 2024 semi final win last summer, as Luis de la Fuente’s side went on to lift the trophy against England.
Lamine Yamal is ready for one last challenge before his summer break, as he dismissed a bold question on joining Real Madrid in future, and his Ballon d’Or battle with Dembele.
“No, it would be impossible to play for Real Madrid,” as per quotes from Mundo Deportivo.
“I don’t think about winning the Ballon d’Or. I just think about enjoying myself, playing well and if it comes, then it comes.
“Will the award will be ‘played for’ on Thursday vs. France? If you people want it to be like that, then we play for it on Thursday. But for me, I would give it to the best player of the year.
“We [Barcelona] are improving, but we have to believe in ourselves that we are the best. When Real Madrid lost to Arsenal, people thought they could come back. And when we tied against Inter, people doubted us. That’s what needs to change.”
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