Eighteen-year-old FC Barcelona prodigy Lamine Yamal has openly expressed his lofty ambitions, declaring his intent to win not just one, but multiple Ballon d’Or awards during his burgeoning football career. This bold statement underscores the young forward’s immense self-belief and vision for his future in the sport.
Speaking in an interview on September 10, the young Spanish striker exuded confidence in his capabilities, stating, “I have told my friends that I don’t dream of a single Ballon d’Or, but I want to win many in my football profession.” Yamal’s self-belief is evident as he firmly believes he possesses the talent and drive required to secure football’s most prestigious individual accolade on numerous occasions.
Reflecting on his potential path to success, Yamal articulated his mindset to FC Barcelona: “If I don’t achieve it, it will be because I’m not doing well enough or I lack determination. I dream of winning the Ballon d’Or, and if that day arrives, I will be incredibly happy.” Beyond individual honors, Yamal also harbors strong ambitions for team success, adding, “In addition to winning this award, I am also ambitious and determined to win all the club titles.”
Currently, Yamal stands on the cusp of potentially becoming the youngest player in history to claim the Ballon d’Or. His current trajectory places him among other prominent talents mentioned in discussions, including former Barcelona player Ousmane Dembélé, now at Paris Saint-Germain, and his PSG teammates Vitinha and Achraf Hakimi. These players are all considered high-percentage candidates for future top individual awards, according to reports from Mundo Deportivo.
The current record for the youngest Ballon d’Or winner is held by Brazilian legend Ronaldo Nazário, who received the award in 1997 at the age of 21 years and three months. Should Yamal triumph in the 2025 Ballon d’Or race, he would remarkably set a new benchmark at just 18 years and two months old. Furthermore, he would etch his name into Spanish football history as only the third Spanish player to win the award, following Luis Suárez in 1960 and, as projected, Manchester City’s Rodri in 2024.
Looking ahead, the upcoming Ballon d’Or awards ceremony is scheduled to take place on September 22 at the esteemed Le Châtelet Theater in Paris, France. This annual event, jointly organized by France Football and the European Football Federation (UEFA), features a distinguished jury comprising 100 sports journalists from around the globe. These journalists commence their voting process after the official list of candidates is unveiled, typically between August 7 and August 25.
