Barcelona star Yamal gathers ‘top’ support ahead of Ballon d’Or ceremony | OneFootball

FC Barcelona had a memorable 2024-25 season in which they won all the big domestic titles, even though it was the very first season in charge of the team for the German coach Hansi Flick.

Several Blaugrana players also stood out individually during the last season, with the most prominent of them being the youngster Lamine Yamal, who continues to amaze the world with his talent at such a young age.

The 18-year-old had such a good season that he is one of the top contenders for the Ballon d’Or this season. His main competitor will be the former Barcelona and current Paris Saint-Germain forward Ousmane Dembele, who also has a very strong case for getting the biggest individual prize in football.

The winner of this award will be announced soon, on September 22nd, but, as Mundo Deportivo has noted, several big names in European football have already given their backing to the Blaugrana youngster to get this award.

Some of the most prominent of these names and their words about Yamal’s chances of winning the Ballon d’Or are mentioned here:

Matthäus: “If I were to vote, I’d give it to Lamine because we all love him so much.”

Gullit: “It’s not just about winning, what we saw from Lamine was incredible: he has a little bit more.”

Van Basten: “He’s the best of the 2024-25 season.”

Papin: “He deserves to win, he had an exceptional season.”

Zidane: “What he did in Milan at that age, I had never seen in my life.“

Ronaldinho: “He can make history, not once, but several times.”

Capello: “I would vote for Yamal.”

Luis Fernández: “I really like Dembélé, but then there’s Lamine.”

Javi Martínez: “He was the best, sorry PSG.”

Futre: “He’s a phenomenon, he can win several.”

Lineker: “He’ll be the next big thing after Maradona and Messi.”

Rio Ferdinand: “Ballon d’Or, Ballon d’Or, Ballon d’Or.”

Crouch: “He has to win this trophy.”

Rakitic: “If we had reached the Champions League final, it would already be very clear.”

Arturo Vidal: “He’ll win it this year. He’s killing it.”

Raúl Albiol: “Whatever happens, it’s yours.”

Gerard Deulofeu: “He’s the best creator in football.”

Mario Suárez: “If he doesn’t win, that will speak for itself.”

De la Fuente: “He’s the best in the world.”

Cucurella: “With the things he does at his age…”

Lewandowski: “If not this year, it will be next.”

Rashford: “Based on ability, he has to win.”

Koundé: “Lamine and Dembélé deserve it.”

Haaland: “This guy is incredible.”

With all the big names backing him, there is no doubt that Lamine Yamal can bring another Ballon d’Or to Barcelona this year. However, it will be a very tight competition with all the trophies that Ousmane Dembele won with PSG last season, and it remains to be seen which of these two players, or anyone else, gets their hands on the award.