‘I’m not going to say robbery but…’ – Lamine Yamal’s father through gritted teeth after Ballon d’Or | OneFootball

Lamine Yamal secured a second Kopa trophy on Monday night at the Ballon d’Or gala in Paris, and at the age of just 18, finished second in the main vote. Paris Saint-Germain forward Ousmane Dembele took home the top prize, alongside Barcelona’s Aitana Bonmati, but Lamine Yamal’s father, Mounir Nasraoui, was not impressed with the vote.

The Kopa trophy, awarded to the best young player of the year, has never been awarded to the same player two years in a row, but Lamine Yamal knocked another record off. The 18-year-old was seen congratulating Dembele after the award.

Lamine Yamal’s father – ‘Something very strange has happened’

Speaking after the award, Nasraoui explained that there was no competition for his son in his eyes.

“I think it’s the biggest… I’m not going to say robbery but mental suffering done to a human being,” he told El Chiringuito, following the gala in Paris. “I think Lamine Yamal is the best player in the world by far, by a huge margin. Not because he’s my son, but because he’s the best player in the world. I don’t think there are any rivals.”

Nasraoui was adamant that his son would be lifting the award next year, when no doubt the World Cup will play a key role in the voting.

“Lamine is Lamine Yamal, we have to say that something very strange has happened here. Next year the Ballon d’Or will be Spanish.”

Dembele reportedly sweeps vote

Image via France Football

However according to the Ballon d’Or voters, Dembele was some way clear of Lamine Yamal. Editor of France Football Vincent Garcia told EFE, via Diario AS, that the victory was clear-cut.

“If I had to give a trend, honestly, there was no competition. Ousmane won quite clearly. He completely convinced our Ballon d’Or judges. It’s a Ballon d’Or that, a priori, has authority among our voters.”