Barcelona defender Jules Koundé has openly expressed his admiration for rising star Lamine Yamal, going as far as to claim that the youngster is fully deserving of the Ballon d’Or. His statement underlines just how highly regarded the teenager is within the Barcelona dressing room and across the footballing world.
Koundé’s words reflect not just respect for Yamal’s undeniable talent, but also recognition of his maturity and consistency despite his young age. Few players at his stage of development have managed to influence matches at the very highest level with such confidence, creativity, and game-changing ability. According to Koundé, these qualities are what separate Yamal from other prodigies, putting him in the conversation for football’s most prestigious individual honor.
For Barcelona, Yamal represents more than just another exciting academy graduate — he is a symbol of hope for the club’s future. His performances have already begun to draw comparisons with legendary names who once wore the Blaugrana shirt, and Koundé’s statement further elevates that growing narrative. By saying that Yamal deserves the Ballon d’Or, Koundé is essentially highlighting that the youngster isn’t just promising — he is already proving himself capable of greatness on the global stage.
This kind of praise carries weight because it comes from a teammate who sees Yamal’s brilliance up close every single day in training and in matches. While the Ballon d’Or is traditionally awarded to players with years of experience, Koundé’s comment suggests that Yamal’s trajectory is so extraordinary that he might not need to wait long before being considered worthy of such recognition.
