Barcelona and Spain forward Lamine Yamal has downplayed suggestions that Thursday’s Nations League semi-final against France will be decisive in the race for the 2025 Ballon d’Or.
Spain face France in Stuttgart with a place in the Nations League final at stake. The winner will go on to meet either Germany or Portugal, who play in the other semi-final on Wednesday.
Much of the spotlight is on Yamal and Paris Saint-Germain’s Ousmane Dembélé, both of whom have enjoyed standout seasons for club and country. With the Ballon d’Or ceremony set for September in Paris, some believe the golden trophy could end up in the hands of one of Thursday’s stars.
But the 17-year-old Yamal brushed off the notion when asked whether the high-stakes clash could influence the vote.
“If you had to give the Ballon d’Or, who would you give it to—the best player of the year or the one who wins on Thursday?” Yamal asked during an interview with Spanish broadcaster Cadena COPE on Monday.
“I’m confident we’ll win on Thursday, but whether we do or not, I’d vote for the best player of the year. If something happens to me or Dembélé in the game, then who gets it? Someone playing on Sunday?”
“I’d give it to the best player of the year—and I’d keep it for myself,” he added with a smile.
Both players have compelling cases. Dembélé has helped PSG to a treble, winning Ligue 1, the French Cup, and the Champions League. Yamal, meanwhile, lifted La Liga, the Spanish Cup, and the Supercopa with Barcelona.
Statistically, Dembélé holds the edge with 35 goals across all competitions this season, compared to Yamal’s 19.
The nominees for the 2025 Ballon d’Or—which will consider performances from August 1, 2024 to July 31, 2025—are set to be announced in early August. The ceremony will be held in Paris on September 22.
