Ambition ignited
Lamine Yamal targets 2026 Ballon d'Or after 2025 runner-up finish, crediting Dembele's support
Key Points
Yamal said he arrived at the 2025 Ballon d’Or ceremony as an “overwhelming” favourite and would have become the youngest-ever winner—surpassing the previous youngest record held by Cristiano Ronaldo (who won at 21 in 1997).
Ahead of World Cup 2026, Yamal’s Spain schedule includes specific warm-up and group-stage opponents: Spain are set to play Peru in a final warm-up, then open against Cape Verde, with Saudi Arabia and Uruguay also in the group.
On his Euro 2024 breakthrough, Yamal described how being a “kid” brought “butterflies” at an international tournament—but said he learned “to stay calmer,” adding: “The matches are long, and so are the tournaments. You always finish better than you start.”
Yamal also named Neymar as a lifelong inspiration, saying: “I’ll always enjoy watching Ney because he’s my idol.”
Asked about VAR, Yamal said it is “fair” but argued it slows the game down, adding: “It slows the game down a lot… six minutes stopped is too much.”
Lamine Yamal says he walked into the 2025 Ballon d'Or ceremony expecting to win — and finished second. The 18-year-old Barcelona winger lost out to Ousmane Dembélé, who claimed 1,380 points to Yamal's 1,059, according to Goal.com. But now Yamal is framing the loss as fuel, telling fans on his YouTube channel: "It was actually good that Dembélé won it. It helped me grow."
With the 2026 World Cup underway, Yamal is preparing to show what he can do on the biggest stage. Spain open against Cape Verde on June 15 in Atlanta, according to MLSSoccer.com. A strong tournament could put him at the front of the race for next year's Ballon d'Or — the prize he still believes is coming.
Yamal Admits He Expected to Win the Ballon d'Or
Yamal was blunt about his expectations heading into the September 2025 ceremony in Paris. "Honestly, if I'm being sincere, I thought I was going to win it that day," he said, according to Sporting Tribune. At 18, he would have become the youngest-ever winner — shattering the record held by Cristiano Ronaldo, who won at 21 in 1997. Dembélé had other ideas, riding PSG's historic treble — Ligue 1, Coupe de France, and the Champions League — to take the prize.
The voting result was decisive. Dembélé scored 35 goals across the 2024-25 campaign for PSG, according to Sports Illustrated. Yamal, by contrast, posted 24 goals and 18 assists in 45 matches for Barcelona during the eligibility window, per OneFootball. Pundits argued that "trophy weight" — not talent — swung the vote toward the Frenchman.
Dembélé Helped Yamal Mentally Bounce Back
Rather than turning the loss into a rivalry, Yamal says Dembélé played a key role in his recovery. "He helped me get back on my feet," Yamal said, according to Barca Universal. "I wasn't at my best mentally, and it helped me a lot." The two share a close bond from their time together at Barcelona, and Yamal credits that relationship with helping him refocus quickly.
Yamal also put the loss in perspective by pointing to his age. "Maybe it wasn't the right time for me to fully appreciate it," he said. Spain coach Luis de la Fuente and teammate Rodri have backed that view. Rodri told Goal.com: "He will eventually win the award." De la Fuente added that Yamal has "three more chances" to break the youngest-ever record before he even turns 21.
La Liga Dominance Builds the Case for 2026
Yamal did not slow down after the ceremony. He was named La Liga Player of the Season for 2025-26 after helping Barcelona collect 94 points to win the league title, according to OneFootball. He added 16 goals and 12 assists in domestic play. That form, stacked on top of his Euro 2024 heroics at age 17, has made him the clear frontrunner for next year's award — if Spain can go deep at the World Cup.
Yamal has also made a public promise to his fans. If Spain wins the World Cup, he will "grow out his beard and mustache for three weeks" and "give away 100 headsets" to followers, according to Al Jazeera. He is currently recovering from a groin and hamstring injury at Spain's training base in Chattanooga, Tennessee. Coach De la Fuente expects him to be available for the June 15 opener against Cape Verde, per Al Jazeera.
Neymar, VAR, and the Mindset of a Future Star
Away from the trophies and tactics, Yamal gave a glimpse into what drives him. He named Neymar as his "lifelong inspiration," saying: "I'll always enjoy watching Ney because he's my idol." He also reflected on his Euro 2024 breakthrough, admitting the tournament gave him "butterflies" but taught him to "stay calmer." His lesson: "The matches are long, and so are the tournaments. You always finish better than you start."
On VAR, Yamal offered a measured take. He said the system is "fair" but that it "slows the game down a lot" — adding that "six minutes stopped is too much," according to Sporting Tribune. Spain's World Cup group also includes Saudi Arabia and Uruguay. Yamal will look to bring his Euro 2024 composure — and his hunger after last year's Ballon d'Or near-miss — to every match.
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