On September 22, at the Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris, the new Ballon d'Or France Football will be revealed. At the end of an exceptional season, both individual and collectively, Ousmane Dembélé logically is a favorite. He is not the only one. Under the colors of Paris Saint-Germain, Achraf Hakimi and Vitinha also particularly shone. Yes, but here, for the number 10 of the red and blue, the fiercest competitor may be on the side of Catalonia. His name? Lamine Yamal.
A fierce struggle
Playing the new generation with a maturity which brushes against the incredible for its age, the Spanish international (22 selections, six goals) splashes the football planet of his talent in the jersey of FC Barcelona. Winner of the Liga, semi-finalist of the last Champions League and author of remarkable individual performances (18 goals and 25 assists in 55 matches in all competitions), the native of Esplugues de Llobregat could ultimately win the bet.
While waiting to know the verdict and while the votes ended a few days ago, the 18 -year -old Barcelona crack can count on a support of choice. Former legends of the round ball, current teammates, journalists … many defend the candidacy of number 10 of the cubs. “If I had a vote for the Ballon d'Or, I would give it to Lamine. Dembélé, Raphinha and Lamine are the favorites, but for me, Lamine is distinguished by the way we all love it ”launched Lothar Matthäus, one of the emblematic players of the German selection.
Lamine Yamal supported by legends …
A speech shared by countless football personalities. “Although normally the Ballon d'Or is awarded to one of the players who won the Champions League final, this time, it could be different. It is not only winning, because what we saw of Lamine was incredible: he has a little more ”noted, as such, Ruud Gullit, winner of the Ballon d'Or 1987. Questioned on this subject, Marco Van Basten – who proposed a year ago “Focus more about the position of Lamine to exploit all your talent” – now sees him as “The best player of the 2024-25 season”.
“Lamine is already in terms of winning the Ballon d'Or. He can enter the story by conquering him, not one but several times “outbidd Ronaldinho while Javi Martínez, former player of Athletic and Bayern, was also very clear: “I'm sorry for PSG, but for me, Lamine was the best, he is not only the best in Spain, but in the world”. Support also very present in France despite the presence of Ousmane Dembélé among the favorites.
… but also in France
… but also in France
“I really like Dembélé, now, to win the Ballon d'Or, at Barça, there is a player called Lamine”admitted, as such, Luis Fernández. “Lamine deserves to win the Ballon d'Or this year: he was the best in an exceptional season”added the former OM player, Jean-Pierre Papin. Legend of France and Real Madrid, Zinedine Zidane was also sure to compliment the new nugget of world football. “What he did in Milan (semi-final of the Champions League), I have never seen him in my life at this age, is impressive”.
If Jules Koundé, teammate of the two contenders, wants to be more measured and that Kylian Mbappé now gives his voice to Dembouz, Lamine Yamal can still count on the support of many personalities, starting with Fabio Capello, former coach of Milan and Madrid: “I would vote for Lamine for the Ballon d'Or. First Yamal, then Vinicius and Mbappé ». “The boy is a phenomenon. The personality and the character he has are incredible. At his age, I think we are facing the next Ballon d'Or and that he can win several ”added Paulo Futre, legend of Porto and Atlético. A bell sound similar to that delivered across the Channel …
Final response on September 22
“The Ballon d'Or would belong to Lamine, the next big after Maradona and Messi”thus promised Gary Lineker. “Lamine golden ball, golden ball, golden ball. It is the best in major leagues. It is a generational talent, the next one that will be at the top, the best, the most exciting … I love this guy “ignited Rio Ferdinand while Peter Crouch also hopes to see the Spanish prevail. Recently arrived at Barça, Marcus Rashford did not hesitate to participate in propaganda, saying that “Just for football, Lamine Yamal must win”.
“For me, he is the favorite to win the Ballon d'Or and if he had gone to the Champions League final, it would have been very clear now”said Ivan Rakitić when Gérard Deulofeu argued in this way: “It is not a question of knowing who I want to see winning, but the best football creator is Lamine Yamal”. In the national selection, Luis de la Fuente was also positioned: “He deserves the Ballon d'Or, he is the best player in the world. If he continues like that, he will be one of these 4 or 5 historic footballers in the world ”.
Described as someone incredible by a certain Erling Haaland and benefiting from the support of many peers (Raúl Albiol, Arturo Vidal, Marc Cucurella, Ethan Nwaneri, Myles Lewis-Skelly, Diego López …), Lamine Yamal can therefore legitimately believe in the final coronation. In the event of failure, the 18 -year -old can always console himself with the recent words made by his teammate, Robert Lewandowski. Lamine will win the Ballon d'Or, if not this year, it will be the next one, put the Polish striker at the BBC. Answer within a fortnight …
