The 2025 Ballon d'Or ceremony in Paris has ignited a storm of debate, with Barcelona's Lamine Yamal finishing as runner-up to Paris Saint-Germain's Ousmane Dembele. The outcome has sparked mixed reactions, ranging from outrage from Yamal's family to composed acceptance from the young star himself and motivational words from his coach, Hansi Flick.
Lamine Yamal, the 18-year-old Barcelona prodigy, has already made a name for himself with remarkable performances and maturity. His stellar 2024/25 season saw him score 18 goals and provide 25 assists, leading Barcelona to a domestic treble. Despite his impressive contributions, the Ballon d'Or was awarded to Dembele, likely influenced by his key role in PSG's UEFA Champions League success.
Yamal's father, Mounir Nasraoui, openly criticized the outcome, suggesting that the voting process was questionable. He expressed his belief that Yamal is "the best player in the world by far" and described his son missing out on the award as "the biggest moral damage done to a human being".
Despite the disappointment, Yamal made history by becoming the first footballer to win the Kopa Trophy for the best young player in consecutive years. He shared a heartfelt message on social media, congratulating Dembele and stating, "God's plan is perfect, you have to climb to get to the top".
Barcelona's coach, Hansi Flick, has spoken about Yamal's condition after losing out on the Ballon d'Or. Flick said Yamal has reacted in a sporting manner and is motivated for the future. He admitted that Dembele "deserved" the Ballon d'Or after the PSG forward's treble-winning season, while insisting Yamal has taken finishing second in his stride. Flick revealed Yamal is "motivated for the coming years" and ready to respond with performances.
La Liga president Javier Tebas believes that Lamine Yamal only missed out on the 2025 Ballon d'Or because of his age. Tebas told reporters, "If he had been older than 23, he would have won it, too, I'm sure, but since he was younger, they gave him the other one [Kopa trophy]".
Despite missing out on the Ballon d'Or, Yamal's focus remains unwavering. He is currently recovering from a minor injury but has resumed training and could feature in Barcelona's upcoming match against Real Sociedad. His response to the Ballon d'Or outcome reflects a mindset beyond his years, channeling the experience into motivation to achieve even greater heights in his career.
