Barcelona sensation Lamine Yamal has revealed he expected to win the 2025 Ballon d’Or but now believes missing out was a valuable lesson in his development as a player.
Lamine Yamal has made a candid admission about football’s biggest individual prize and it’s turning heads.
As Vanguard reports, the Barcelona and Spain star revealed that he genuinely believed he would win the 2025 Ballon d’Or before ultimately finishing second to Ousmane Dembele. Looking back, however, the teenager says the disappointment turned out to be a blessing in disguise.
Speaking during a fan Q&A, Yamal admitted that events leading up to the ceremony had convinced him the award was heading his way. But when Dembele’s name was announced, the young winger was forced to process one of the first major setbacks of his rapidly rising career.
Rather than dwelling on the loss, Yamal now sees it as a key moment in his growth. According to the youngster, missing out helped him mature, stay grounded, and better appreciate what it takes to reach the very top of the game. He also praised Dembele, describing the French forward as someone who has had a positive influence on him.
The comments come at a time when Yamal’s stock is soaring. The 18-year-old recently won LaLiga’s Player of the Season award and remains one of the leading contenders for future Ballon d’Or honours.
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