On June 2nd, rising Spanish football star Lamine Yamal finally broke his silence regarding the heated debate surrounding this year’s Ballon d’Or. The 17-year-old prodigy, widely considered one of the frontrunners for the prestigious individual award, was direct but careful in his response.
“In my opinion, the Ballon d’Or should go to the best player of the year — plain and simple,” Yamal stated. However, he also expressed concern about how public and media narratives seem to be shaping the race: “People are saying that whoever wins Thursday’s Spain vs. France match deserves the Ballon d’Or. But what if something unexpected happens to me or to Dembélé during that game?”
Yamal’s comment highlights the unpredictability of football and how much weight a single match can carry in swaying opinions — perhaps unfairly so. Despite being at the heart of the conversation, he remained tight-lipped on who he personally believes should win. “I know who I’d vote for as the best player, but I’m keeping that to myself,” he said.
While Lamine cannot cast a vote — the Ballon d’Or is decided by a select panel of journalists affiliated with France Football — his performance this year has made him a legitimate contender for the award.
His main rival appears to be French winger Ousmane Dembélé, who recently led Paris Saint-Germain to their historic first UEFA Champions League title. With both players in exceptional form, the upcoming Spain vs. France clash could serve as a defining moment in the race — not just for national pride, but for personal glory on football’s biggest stage.
