Lamine Yamal has quickly become one of the brightest names in European football. At just 18 years old, the Barcelona forward is already being spoken of as one of the game’s biggest talents.
Now, he finds himself in the spotlight once again after admitting he dreams of lifting the Ballon d’Or — football’s most prestigious individual prize.
The teenager has been nominated for the 2025 award following a remarkable season at Barcelona, where he scored 18 goals and set up 25 more across all competitions.
He has also started the new campaign strongly, continuing to build his reputation as a player who could dominate the sport for years to come.
With Spain preparing for their upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Bulgaria and Turkey, Yamal has been fielding questions not only about international duty but also about his personal ambitions.
And he gave a response that showed both honesty and hunger.
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What Lamine Yamal said on winning Ballon d’Or?
In an interview during Spain camp, Yamal admitted: “Every player wants to win the Ballon d’Or, and anyone who tells you otherwise is lying. Being there at 18 is something to be valued, and I hope it happens.”
He also stressed the importance of team success at Barcelona, adding: “As a team, winning the Champions League with Barça would be incredible, and individually, every player wants to win the Ballon d’Or.”
Barcelona already has several players on the Ballon d’Or shortlist, including Pedri, Robert Lewandowski, and Raphinha.
But Yamal’s rapid rise means many eyes will be on him when the ceremony takes place in Paris on September 22.
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