Lamine Yamal: “For the Ballon d’Or, I choose…”

As the race for the 2025 Ballon d’Or heats up, Lamine Yamal has added fuel to the fire with a statement that’s left fans and pundits buzzing. The young Barcelona sensation, widely regarded as one of the front-runners for the prestigious award, offered a surprisingly measured response when asked about his personal pick.

When questioned about who he believes deserves the Ballon d’Or, Yamal avoided dropping any names, choosing instead to reflect on the criteria behind the award. “Is the Ballon d’Or given to the best player of the year or to the one who wins the most trophies?” he asked rhetorically.

“I vote for the best player of the year. But I won’t say who it is—I’ll keep that to myself,” he added. “It’s the journalists who vote. My job is to win matches. If the Ballon d’Or is meant to come, it will come.” A mature and humble response from a player still in his teenage years.

That subtle answer has sparked plenty of speculation. Many believe Yamal may have been hinting at his teammate, Raphinha. Just hours earlier, Yamal publicly admitted that he wasn’t the best player in this season’s UEFA Champions League—he said that honor belonged to Raphinha.

And rightly so. The Brazilian winger has had a campaign to remember, scoring 13 goals and delivering 8 assists. His total of 21 direct goal involvements equals Cristiano Ronaldo’s legendary record from the 2013–14 season.

Raphinha also finished as joint top scorer in the competition, alongside Borussia Dortmund’s Serhou Guirassy. These numbers alone make him a serious candidate for the Ballon d’Or, especially when combined with his role in Barcelona’s deep run into the tournament.

But Raphinha isn’t the only threat in the race. Ousmane Dembélé has stormed into the spotlight following his electrifying performances for Paris Saint-Germain. The Frenchman not only dazzled in Europe but also led PSG to their first-ever Champions League triumph.

Dembélé’s contributions earned him UEFA’s Player of the Season award. His consistency, explosiveness, and match-winning moments have pushed him to the front of the Ballon d’Or conversation—especially with the weight a Champions League trophy carries in such decisions.

As Dembélé’s stock continues to rise, Yamal’s has slightly dipped, not because of a lack of talent, but due to circumstance. Barcelona’s elimination in the semifinals against Inter Milan cast a shadow over what was otherwise a brilliant season for the young Spaniard.

Even though Yamal’s brilliance remains unquestioned, the Ballon d’Or is often influenced by narrative and silverware. And right now, Dembélé’s story is shining the brightest.

That doesn’t mean Yamal is out of the picture. Far from it. He has shown poise, leadership, and maturity well beyond his years, becoming a key figure in Xavi’s (and now Flick’s) tactical setup at Barcelona.

Still, the race is tight, and others like Kylian Mbappé—though quieter in Europe this season—can never be ruled out. His global reputation and influence always keep him in contention, no matter the statistics.

For Yamal, 2025 may not be his year—but it’s clear that his time will come. At just 17 years old, he’s already shaping up to be a generational talent, and this Ballon d’Or nomination could simply be the first of many.

What makes Yamal even more special is his mindset. He’s not chasing awards—he’s chasing excellence on the pitch. That humility might not earn him the trophy this year, but it’s what builds legends in the long run.

So, who will win it? Yamal? Raphinha? Dembélé? Or will someone else emerge from the shadows? One thing’s for sure: the 2025 Ballon d’Or race is one of the most unpredictable—and exciting—we’ve seen in years. Let the debate begin.