Wednesday 03 / September / 2025
Barcelona: Following a memorable 2024-25 season with Barcelona, teenage football sensation Lamine Yamal opened up on his dream to win the Ballon d'Or award, the highest individual honour in the sport, saying that being there at the age of 18 is "something to be valued" and he hopes of fulfilling his dream.
Yamal was sensational for Barca in the 2024-25 season, delivering 18 goals and 25 assists across 55 matches across all competitions, playing a massive role in their domestic treble of La Liga, Copa del Rey and Spanish Super Cup. He also took the Spain Euro Championship title last year.
He emerged as the 'Best Young Player' in the competition. The only setback was the club's UEFA Champions League dreams being crushed in the semifinal against Inter Milan.
Yamal joined stars like Ousmane Dembele, Jude Bellingham, Erling Haaland, Harry Kane and Kylian Mbappe, among others, as one of the nominees for the football's top individual prize, which is a Golden Ball.
Currently on international duty with Spain, Yamal admitted that he dreams of securing the coveted prize and expressed how delighted he was to be nominated for the award. The ceremony for the 2025 Ballon d'Or will take place on September 22 at the Theatre du Chatelet in Paris.
Speaking to RTVE, the teenage attacker said, as quoted by Goal.com: "As a team, winning the Champions League with Barca would be incredible, and individually, every player wants to win the Ballon d'Or, and anyone who tells you otherwise is lying. Being there at 18 is something to be valued, and I hope it happens."
Yamal will be in action next against Bulgaria for Spain in the World Cup Qualifiers. Their second qualifying game of the September international break is against Turkey on Sunday. Spain will be eyeing the prize, which they won once back in 2010, when it takes place in Canada, Mexico and the USA from June 11 next year.
Spain coach De la Fuente: Yamal 'under tremendous pressure'
Spain coach Luis de la Fuente has praised Barcelona youngster Lamine Yamal at the first day of training with the national team ahead of the FIFA World Cup qualifying games away to Bulgaria and Türkiye on September 4 and 7.
Yamal has already played over 20 games for Spain despite only recently celebrating his 18th birthday and the fact that his private life has recently become a subject of interest for gossip columns has brought him even more into the spotlight.
Speaking to the FIFA's website before his squad flies to Bulgaria, De la Fuente said Yamal was "under tremendous media pressure; he has to work incredibly hard to be able to keep up with the demands."
The coach insisted Yamal had "earned everything," adding, "We have to value a kid who was already playing for the national team at 16," and focusing on the scrutiny the winger is under.
"He has to be an example both on and off the pitch; he's maturing, and we have to help him because he's very young," reflected De la Fuente, who was confident the player would be able to deal with the pressure.
"He's incredibly mature for an 18-year-old, but he has to keep growing and maturing. It's a natural process, and we're here to help him."
"As a footballer, he's brilliant, with natural talent and extraordinary talent. He knows perfectly well that if sacrifice and effort aren't combined with that talent, he won't achieve the heights many people have tipped him to reach. He works hard to improve every day. He's very intelligent and grasps ideas very quickly," commented the coach.
De la Fuente was forced into a change in his squad late on Monday, with Rayo Vallecano forward Jorge de Frutos called up after Yeremy Pino was injured at the weekend.
