Thunderbolt: Lamine Yamal out of the race for the Ballon d’Or!

In a stunning development that has left fans and pundits across the footballing world in disbelief, Spanish wonderkid Lamine Yamal is reportedly out of contention for the 2025 Ballon d’Or, following a lackluster performance in the UEFA Nations League final.

The Nations League Final Four wrapped up this past weekend, delivering high drama and a series of plot twists that could shift the Ballon d’Or power rankings. France triumphed over Germany in the third-place playoff, but it was Portugal’s victory over Spain — decided by penalties after a 2-2 draw — that sealed the most consequential verdict of them all.

This defeat didn’t just cost Spain the trophy — it may have cost Lamine Yamal his shot at the most prestigious individual award in world football. The 17-year-old phenom, widely considered one of the frontrunners for the 2025 Ballon d’Or, saw his chances take a major blow after a subdued performance in the final match.

Prior to the semifinals, the Ballon d’Or race appeared to be a neck-and-neck contest between Ousmane Dembélé and Lamine Yamal. While Dembélé had swept nearly every major title with Paris Saint-Germain — including Ligue 1, Coupe de France, Trophée des Champions, and the UEFA Champions League — Yamal had spearheaded Barcelona’s domestic dominance, winning La Liga, the Copa del Rey, and the Spanish Super Cup.

Yamal’s brace against France in the semifinal — a thrilling 5-4 win for Spain — was hailed as a masterclass. It appeared to have pushed him ahead in the Ballon d’Or race. However, the final against Portugal presented the golden opportunity to cement his status as the frontrunner. Instead, he faltered.

Rated a disappointing 3/10 by L’Équipe, Yamal failed to make any significant impact and was eventually substituted in the 106th minute of extra time for Yeremy Pino. From the bench, he watched helplessly as Portugal triumphed on penalties.

Spanish coach Luis de la Fuente addressed the substitution after the match, revealing that Yamal was physically exhausted: “He’s been in competition since Thursday. There’s been very little rest, and it’s been an intense season. At just 17 years old, it’s important to manage his minutes carefully. We felt it was time to inject more energy into the team.”

It was a decision that may have effectively ended Yamal’s Ballon d’Or hopes. Despite an exceptional year and a continental championship under his belt, his absence from the decisive moments on Sunday night may be the final blow to his candidacy.

Making matters worse, Barcelona will not be participating in the upcoming FIFA Club World Cup, which kicks off on June 15 in the United States. The tournament offers a global stage — and for Dembélé, it may be the last and decisive opportunity to showcase his superiority in 2025.

PSG, on the other hand, will be present in the competition, and if Dembélé recovers from his left thigh injury sustained during international duty, he could use the tournament to pull away definitively in the Ballon d’Or race.

This shift in momentum underscores the importance of every match in a packed football calendar. The narrative can flip with a single game — and for Yamal, the Nations League final might be remembered as the night his Ballon d’Or dream slipped away.

However, some observers argue that it may be too early to rule Yamal out completely. His youth, combined with the brilliance he displayed against France, still weighs heavily in his favor. But with no more competitive fixtures left this season, his fate now lies in the hands of the Ballon d’Or jury — and perhaps, in Dembélé’s performances at the Club World Cup.

It’s a cruel reality of modern football: reputation is built over a season, but legacy can be undone in 90 minutes. The very attribute that once gave Yamal an edge — his age — is now being used to explain his limitations.

The football world has reacted swiftly. Social media platforms were ablaze following the announcement, with hashtags like #YamalOut and #BallonDorRace trending globally. Fans are divided — some lamenting the pressure placed on a teenager, others acknowledging the ruthlessness of elite football.

Commentators across Europe are also weighing in. French pundit Jérôme Rothen remarked, “You cannot disappear in the final and still expect to win the Ballon d’Or. It’s brutal, but that’s the standard.”

Meanwhile, Portuguese media is celebrating not only their nation’s victory but the quiet emergence of Vitinha and Rafael Leão as dark horses in the Ballon d’Or conversation, especially after their cool-headed performances against Spain.

For now, Yamal remains one of the sport’s brightest talents, but this episode will be a reminder that even prodigies must endure harsh realities. The 2025 Ballon d’Or is slipping from his grasp — and unless an extraordinary twist emerges, the golden trophy might be heading to Paris.

Still, the future remains bright. At just 17, Yamal has plenty of time to win not one, but possibly multiple Ballon d’Ors in the years to come. This year may not be his, but it could serve as the launching pad for a career that’s only just beginning.

As football fans await the official announcement on September 22, the question on everyone’s lips is no longer if Lamine Yamal will win the Ballon d’Or — but when.