LaLiga president Javier Tebas believes Barcelona wonderkid Lamine Yamal was denied the Ballon d’Or this year simply because of his age.
The 18-year-old lit up the 2024/25 season with dazzling performances, but had to settle for second place behind Paris Saint-Germain forward Ousmane Dembélé. Yamal still walked away with the Kopa Trophy for best young player, repeating his success from the previous year.
“If he had been older than 23, he would have won it too, I’m sure. But since he was younger, they gave him the other one,” Tebas told reporters, adding that he has no doubt Yamal will eventually claim football’s most prestigious individual prize.
Barcelona president Joan Laporta offered a different view, pointing out that Dembélé’s triumph was heavily influenced by PSG’s historic season. The Frenchman netted 35 goals, delivered 16 assists, and led his side to a domestic treble plus their first Champions League crown. PSG also lifted the UEFA Super Cup and reached the FIFA Club World Cup final, where they fell to Chelsea.
Yamal himself showed grace, congratulating Dembélé. But his father, Mounir Nasraoui, was far less restrained. Speaking to El Chiringuito, he claimed:
“I wouldn’t say it was robbery, but it’s a moral prejudice. I believe Lamine is the best player in the world by far. Not because he’s my son—he simply has no rival. Something very strange happened here.”
Reports from L’Équipe suggested Nasraoui even mocked Dembélé’s level of play during the Paris ceremony, insisting that Yamal’s talent is already unmatched.
