Spain national team manager Luis de la Fuente has backed Barcelona's teenage sensation Lamine Yamal to win the Ballon d'Or during his career while emphasizing the importance of humility as the youngster continues his development.

Speaking to the media, de la Fuente acknowledged Yamal's exceptional talent but stressed that the 17-year-old winger is still in his formative years as a footballer.

"He [Lamine Yamal] is a player with a great future, but he's still developing," the 63-year-old coach said. "It's a process, to deserve the Ballon d'Or. There are other very good players too."

While de la Fuente was hesitant to predict a 2025 Ballon d'Or win for Yamal, he expressed confidence in the youngster's future prospects. "I don't know if he'll win it this 2025, but I'm sure he'll win it. We've to analyse his rivals," he added.

Yamal has established himself as one of football's most exciting young talents, recording impressive statistics during Barcelona's successful 2024-2025 campaign. The winger contributed 18 goals and provided 25 assists across all competitions as Barcelona secured both the LaLiga title and Copa del Rey.

For the 2025 Ballon d'Or, Yamal is expected to face stiff competition from established stars including his Barcelona teammate Raphinha, Liverpool's Mohamed Salah, Real Madrid's Kylian Mbappe, and Paris Saint-Germain's Ousmane Dembele, among others.

The Spanish manager's comments highlight the delicate balance between nurturing Yamal's extraordinary talent and managing expectations for a player who, despite his achievements, is still in the early stages of what promises to be a remarkable career.