Bayern Munich legend Lothar Matthäus has publicly endorsed Barcelona winger Lamine Yamal as his choice for the 2025 Ballon d'Or award, citing the young Spaniard's exceptional performances for both club and country over the past year.
The 17-year-old sensation, who was recently valued as the most expensive player in world football, has enjoyed a remarkable season with Barcelona, netting 18 goals across all competitions under manager Hansi Flick.
Impressive Season with Barcelona
Yamal's contributions were instrumental in Barcelona's domestic double, helping the Catalan giants secure both LaLiga and the Copa del Rey titles. His performances have not only impressed at club level but also on the international stage, where he played a crucial role in Spain's journey to the UEFA Nations League final, though they ultimately lost to Portugal in a penalty shootout.
"If I had a vote for this year's Ballon d'Or, I would give it to Lamine Yamal," Matthäus was quoted as saying, highlighting the teenager's impact on world football despite his young age.
Strong Competition for the Award
The race for the 2025 Ballon d'Or features several high-profile contenders alongside Yamal. His Barcelona teammate Raphinha is also in contention, as are Paris Saint-Germain's Ousmane Dembélé, Real Madrid's Kylian Mbappé, and Liverpool's Mohamed Salah, among others.
Yamal's nomination represents a remarkable achievement for such a young player, with many football experts suggesting he could become one of the youngest-ever recipients of football's most prestigious individual honor if he were to win.
The teenager's rise to prominence has been meteoric, with his technical ability, decision-making, and goal-scoring prowess drawing comparisons to some of the game's greatest players. His potential Ballon d'Or win would mark a significant shift toward recognizing younger talent at the highest level of individual recognition in football.
The winner of the 2025 Ballon d'Or will be announced later this year at the traditional ceremony in Paris, where Yamal could potentially make history as one of the youngest recipients ever.
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