Lamine Yamal Cristiano Ronaldo
Lamine Yamal Cristiano Ronaldo
Ronaldo raised a few eyebrows earlier this year when he declared himself the GOAT ahead of Lionel Messi, Diego Maradona, Pele and indeed Yamal. The Barca teenager, who is in contention to win the Ballon d'Or, has now been asked about Ronaldo's comments and whether he would be tempted to follow suit and declare himself the best player in the world currently. Yamal was asked: "Are you ashamed to say that maybe, for you, you are the best player of the year? That happened to Cristiano, who said it, and then people said he was a jerk. But maybe you think you deserve the trophy?"
FC Barcelona v Villarreal CF - La Liga EA Sports
FC Barcelona v Villarreal CF - La Liga EA Sports
Yamal was quick to respond with a diplomatic answer. He told El Partizado de COPE: "I don't think about it. You'll be in trouble if you think about winning the Ballon d'Or. You think about playing, winning, and it will come. If I win the Champions League and the World Cup next year, it will come. It's about enjoying it and letting it come when it has to."
FC Barcelona v Villarreal CF - La Liga EA Sports
FC Barcelona v Villarreal CF - La Liga EA Sports
THE BIGGER PICTURE
Still to celebrate his 18th birthday, Yamal played a huge role in Barcelona securing a La Liga, Copa del Rey and Supercopa de Espana domestic treble in 2024-25. His 43 combined goals and assists, his all-round starring role and the fact that he is still of school age, has made made the youngster a Ballon d'Or contender. However, there is stiff competition from Barcelona team-mate Raphinha, Liverpool hero Mohamed Salah and Paris Saint-Germain talisman Ousmane Dembele for when the prize is handed out in September.
DID YOU KNOW?
The youngest ever Ballon d'Or winner to date is Ronaldo Nazario, who was 21 years and three months when he captured his first gong in 1997. If Yamal wins it in 2025, 2026, 2027 or 2028, aged 21 years and two months in the latter, he would break that record.
lamine yamal-spain-202503
lamine yamal-spain-202503
In the coming days, Yamal could win his second international trophy with Spain in as many summers. Following on from Euro 2024 last year, La Roja are up against France in a UEFA Nations League semi-final on June 5 and could then play either Germany or Portugal in the final three days later if successful. It is unlikely to boost his Ballon d'Or credentials, though, with it not being viewed as prestigiously as other international competitions. He also won't be participating in the FIFA Club World Cup, which means it will be difficult to topple Dembele in particular in the Ballon d'Or battle.