Lamine Yamal Boldly Declares Ballon d'Or Ambitions: "I Have the Quality to Win It"

At merely 18 years of age and one year after claiming the Kopa Trophy, Lamine Yamal stands among the top contenders for the 2025 Ballon d'Or recognition.

While other competitors may boast more impressive credentials, Yamal will likely garner first-place nominations that could potentially lead him to capture football's most coveted individual honor.

Even if the Catalunya-born talent from Rocafonda doesn't become history's youngest Ballon d'Or recipient, his goal remains to solidify his position among the globe's elite players. During an appearance on José Ramón de la Morena's podcast Resonancia de Corazón, Yamal shared his ambition to accumulate multiple individual accolades throughout his professional journey.

"I've told my friends that I don't aspire to win just one Ballon d'Or, but rather multiple ones," Yamal stated.

"Ultimately, I believe I possess the abilities necessary to accomplish this goal. If I fall short, it will be due to my own mistakes or lack of determination. Therefore, I envision collecting numerous [Ballon d'Or awards], and when that moment arrives, I'll celebrate with great joy.

"However, my hunger will persist as I'll continue pursuing more victories for both myself and my team," Yamal concluded.

These are ambitious words from a player whose self-assurance matches his exceptional abilities. Yamal's remarkable ascent over the last two seasons is thoroughly documented, transforming from relative obscurity to becoming one of football's most extraordinary young talents, shattering numerous records.

His spectacular displays throughout 2024–25, combined with his 18 goals and 25 assists in all competitions, contributed to Barcelona securing their inaugural domestic treble.

However, Ousmané Dembélé currently leads the betting odds for the 2025 Ballon d'Or ceremony on September 22nd, thanks to Paris Saint-Germain's success both domestically and continentally.

Yamal has begun this campaign with seven goal contributions across five matches for club and national team. Should his career maintain its current path, it may only be a question of when Yamal's aspirations become reality.