Ballon d'Or: Joan Laporta responds to comments from Lamine Yamal's father | OneFootball

FC Barcelona president Joan Laporta replies to Lamine Yamal's father

Ballon d'Or: Joan Laporta responds to comments from Lamine Yamal's father

Ousmane Dembélé’s triumph, crowned as the 2025 Ballon d’Or winner, has sparked intense reactions, particularly from the Lamine Yamal camp. The father of the Barcelona wonderkid, Mounir Nasraoui, denounced what he sees as a moral injustice towards his son. “I believe this is the greatest injustice—not theft, I wouldn’t say theft, but the greatest moral injustice inflicted on a human being, because I truly think Lamine Yamal is by far the best player in the world,” he declared, believing the young Spanish international has no rivals at his level. According to him, the voting results were tainted by a “strange element” and he has no doubt that “next year, it will be the Spanish Ballon.”

Runner-up behind Dembélé, Yamal nonetheless cements his place among the game’s hottest prospects, ahead of global stars like Mohamed Salah, Vitinha, or Raphinha.

Laporta calms the tension

Amid the controversy, Joan Laporta was quick to speak out, seeking to cool the media frenzy. The Barça president played down the comments made by his player’s father, highlighting both the youth and maturity of Lamine Yamal. “Lamine’s father is very passionate, and we have to remember his son is only 18 years old. All of this has happened very quickly and can sometimes be overwhelming. Lamine sad? No, he’s not unhappy or depressed,” Laporta explained, adding that the player has already learned the value of patience in a football career.

The Catalan chief also pointed out that Yamal is not the only Barcelona player dreaming of this prestigious award, mentioning Pedri and Raphinha as well. For Laporta, the frustration is understandable, but the Spanish forward knows how to handle the pressure thanks to his precocious maturity.

With his second-place finish in the Ballon d’Or, Lamine Yamal is already establishing himself as the future of Barça and, perhaps, the future of world football. While Ousmane Dembélé lifted the trophy this year, the impression left by Yamal suggests that his own crowning moment may not be far off.