Hristo Stoichkov, the 1994 Ballon d’Or winner and Bulgaria’s most decorated footballer has thrown his weight behind Barcelona prodigy Lamine Yamal while warning against early comparisons.
Speaking in Sofia during Spain’s arrival for Thursday’s [September 4] World Cup qualifier against Bulgaria, the former Barcelona striker praised the teenager and said the Spain International is going to win Ballon d'Or in future.
“Lamine’s going to win it. When and how, he has to decide it. it's not up to us," He said via (Sport)
“A personal name, a personal path, don't compare yourself to others, because comparing is never good. I never wanted to compare myself to anyone and I don't like people comparing me to me,"
More: Lamine Yamal expresses desire to win Ballon d'Or - "Hopefully it happens"
Stoichkov sees Dembele as favorite but dreams of another Barca Ballon d’Or in Lamine Yamal
The former Bulgaria forward added that Ousmane Dembele after his strong run with PSG where he won Quadruple, including club’s first Champions League title looks strong contender for the coveted price.
“I don't think so this year. After what we've seen in France and at PSG, he's there in the top three, but Dembele is the favorite to win it."
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"I hope he [Lamine Yamal] wins it because he is from our home and we are very excited to have another Ballon d’Or at the club.”
Having lived the weight of fame himself, Stoichkov, who was twice runner-up in the FIFA World Player of the Year awards, said Yamal is focused and don’t get distracted.
“I don’t think he gets distracted, and neither does his environment. We often talk too much about his private life: who he dates, who he eats with. I also went out and nothing happened.”
“The important thing is the training hours, being with the coach and teammates. When you go out to train, you do it and you play the same way.”
The Bulgarian legend scored 76 goals in 151 games during his first Barcelona spell, led the club to four straight La Liga titles and was the driving force behind Bulgaria’s famous run to the 1994 World Cup semifinals.