"Some would say he deserved to beat Ousmane Dembele for the Ballon d'Or. Regardless of where you fall in that debate, Dembele won the award while at his peak, and likely won't get there again, while Lamine is now expected to be in the conversation as the world's best player every year going forward. And he has a lot of years in front of him."
"Lamine does things with the ball, regardless of whether it's good for his team in the moment, that are certainly good for the game of football. So many people are excited by his potential because of the magic that he alone seems to possess. Fans will pay to see him play because he has the audacity to try the impossible."
Lamine Yamal, age 18, became a global superstar during 2025 and is now expected to figure in yearly conversations about the world's best players. Ousmane Dembélé won the Ballon d'Or while at his peak, but Lamine's trajectory suggests sustained relevance. He faced tests managing fame and pressure and performs audacious actions that excite fans and elevate the spectacle, even when those actions may not always serve immediate team needs. Coaching guidance would emphasize protecting possession, valuing opportunities, making the game look effortless, taking time with development, and blocking out external noise.
Read at Barca Blaugranes
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