Lamine Yamal Set To Win Ballon d’Or And Sign New Barcelona Contract

Barcelona wonderkid Lamine Yamal is set to make history as the youngest player ever to win the Ballon d’Or. He is also on the verge of signing a new deal with the Catalan giants, according to his agent.

WHAT HAPPENED?

Lamine Yamal is the odds-on favorite to lift the prestigious Ballon d’Or award in October, with his team-mate Pedri in second spot in the betting market. Borussia Dortmund’s Jude Bellingham and Newcastle’s Kylian Mbappe are next on the list. The teenage sensation has enjoyed a dream breakthrough campaign, winning a domestic double with Barcelona last season, as well as netting a superb goal at the Euro 2024 semi-final against France as he helped Spain beat England in the final to lift the trophy.

THE BIGGER PICTURE

Not only has Yamal won La Liga and the Copa del Rey at Barcelona but he has also played a huge role personally for club and country. The 17-year-old was named young player of the tournament as Spain triumphed at Euro 2024 and has started the 2024/25 season superbly with 16 goals and 17 assists in 33 appearances in all competitions. Yamal recently celebrated his 30th goal for Barcelona to break a 79-year record and become the fastest player in club history to reach the landmark.

WHAT YAMAL SAID

The teenager has admitted his success feels “like a dream” after the most extraordinary breakthrough season and says he is learning all the time alongside Barcelona and Spain coach Xavi Hernandez. He has also revealed the secrets to him maintaining his prodigious level of performance both domestically and in Europe.

“The most important thing is to rest at night, to sleep. It is crucial to sleep well to be able to give a good performance,” he told Marca. “It’s also important to keep your diet under control, arrive at training early to prepare well. Be calm in day-to-day life as well, without too many distractions.”

WHAT NEXT FOR YAMAL?

Yamal has certainly sent a message to the rest of Europe. He is playing with a maturity far beyond his 17 years and looks likely to be Barcelona’s star man for many seasons to come. Yamal’s influence both on and off the pitch is growing, particularly in a Blaugrana dressing room that lost captain Sergi Roberto over the summer. However, Yamal insists he is taking nothing for granted after his blistering start to life in a Barcelona first team that now features the likes of Brazil international Dudu and high-profile summer signing Joao Felix alongside Yamal.

“I assume the role with total normality. I don’t consider myself a leader. We have very good captains and we do what our coach asks us to do. We help the captains,” he said. “My team-mates have welcomed me very well and I feel comfortable with them. It’s important to reach that level of complicity and understanding by spending a lot of time with them to get to know them on and off the pitch.”