Mounir Nasraoui, the father of promising Barcelona forward Lamine Yamal, has publicly expressed his strong conviction that his son is destined to win the prestigious Ballon d’Or award by 2026. This bold prediction comes in the wake of Yamal’s recent performance at the 2025 Ballon d’Or ceremony, where he secured second place in the overall standings.
The 2025 Ballon d’Or awards gala, held in the vibrant city of Paris on September 22, saw the 18-year-old sensation attend with a significant entourage. Yamal brought approximately 20 family members and close friends, including his father, Mr. Nasraoui, to share in the momentous occasion. Highlighting his anticipation and belief, Yamal had even reserved a hotel for a potential celebration party, should he have claimed the ultimate individual football honor.
Despite the high hopes, the coveted Ballon d’Or trophy ultimately went to French international striker Ousmane Dembele, who plays for Paris Saint-Germain. However, Yamal did not leave empty-handed. The talented Spanish international proudly accepted the Kopa Trophy for the second consecutive year, recognizing him as the world’s best player under the age of 21.
Following his son’s near miss for the top prize, Mounir Nasraoui wasted no time in offering his unwavering support and encouragement. He reiterated his belief that Lamine would achieve his ultimate ambition of winning the Ballon d’Or in the very near future, specifically pointing to 2026.
“Next year, Yamal will win,” Mr. Nasraoui confidently told COPE journalists while making his way down the red carpet at the 2025 awards ceremony. He further elaborated on his son’s exceptional talent in an interview with El Chiringuito TV, asserting that Lamine Yamal is currently the best player globally, unmatched by any contemporary. Mr. Nasraoui stated, “I think this is a big event, there is no fraud, I don’t think so. I trust Yamal that he is the best player in the world. I don’t say this just because he is my son, but he is truly one of the strongest players in the world right now. I don’t think he has any rivals, and we can say that something strange happened here, some things we can’t say directly, because moral danger is the biggest thing for everyone.”
Lamine Yamal has indeed been making history, becoming the first player ever to clinch the Kopa Trophy in two consecutive years since its inception in 2018. His impressive contributions last season saw the 18-year-old score 18 goals and provide 21 assists across 55 appearances for Barcelona. Beyond his club exploits, Yamal was also instrumental in Spain’s triumph at Euro 2024 and helped the national team reach the final of the UEFA Nations League. For Barcelona, often affectionately known as ‘the Catalans,’ Yamal was pivotal in securing all three major national trophies in Spain, underscoring his immense value and potential.
