Barcelona wonderkid Lamine Yamal
Yamal was denied Ballon d’Or award—La Liga president
La Liga President Javier Tebas has revealed that Barcelona’s young star Lamine Yamal was denied the Ballon d’Or award because of his age.
The 18-year-old finished second behind Ousmane Dembélé in the award voting announced at a ceremony in Paris on Monday.
However, Yamal made history by becoming the first player to win the Kopa Trophy award twice after winning it in 2024 and also retaining it again this year.
Tebas believes Yamal was denied because of his age, but he expressed confidence that he would win the award later in the future.
He said, “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].
“If he continues at the level he’s at, which seems likely, I think there’s no doubt he’ll win the Ballon d’Or.”
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Dembele played a major role in leading PSG to a historic treble last season, scoring 35 goals in 53 appearances in all competitions.
Yamal scored 18 goals in 55 games in all competitions last season as Barça won La Liga, the Spanish Supercopa and the Copa del Rey but lost in the Champions League semifinal to Inter Milan.
He has broken numerous records since making his debut for Barcelona at the age of 16.
Yamal is the youngest scorer in La Liga history and the youngest player ever to feature at a European Championship.
He won the Young Player of the Tournament at the 2024 Euros after helping Spain claim the title.
He became the youngest player to be nominated for the Ballon d’Or (at age 17).
He is also the youngest player to appear in a UEFA European Championship final (at age 17), the youngest player in a European Championship (at age 16), and the youngest goalscorer in a European Championship (at age 16).
Yamal has missed Barcelona’s last three matches due to a groin injury. He is expected to return to action against PSG in the Champions League in October.
He has enjoyed an impressive start to the new season with two goals and two assists in three La Liga games.
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