Ballon d'or: Ivan Rakitic and Ronaldinho cast their votes for Lamine Yamal | OneFootball

Lamine Yamal

FC Barcelona legends Ivan Rakitic and Ronaldinho have made their pick for the 2025 Ballon d'Or. No need to look any further—it's Lamine Yamal.

Ever since every dribble and burst of speed from Lamine Yamal has set stadiums and social media ablaze, the support has been pouring in—and not just from anyone. Numerous football stars are hoping Lamine Yamal will lift the most coveted prize on September 22. Among them: Ivan Rakitic and Ronaldinho.

"If I had a vote, I’d give it to Lamine," declared Lothar Matthäus. Marco van Basten echoed the sentiment: "He’s the best player of the 2024-25 season." Ronaldinho, Papin, Gullit, Capello, Luis Fernández, Rakitic, Arturo Vidal, and Raúl Albiol are all backing the Catalan sensation. Gary Lineker went even further with his prediction: "Lamine will be the next great after Maradona and Messi." Ivan Rakitic agrees: "For me, he’s the favorite for the Ballon d'Or, and if he had reached the Champions League final, it would have been obvious."

For Peter Crouch, "Lamine absolutely has to win this Ballon d’Or." For Spain manager Luis de la Fuente, "he’s already the best player in the world." His teammate Robert Lewandowski sums up the dressing room mood: "If he doesn’t win it this year, he will next year." And for Ronaldinho: "Lamine is already capable of winning the Ballon d'Or. He could make history by winning it, not just once, but multiple times."