Former Barcelona coach Xavi has expressed his strong belief that young talent Lamine Yamal was the most deserving candidate for this year’s Ballon d’Or. The prestigious award was ultimately won by former Barcelona player and current PSG star Ousmane Dembele, with Yamal finishing in second place.
Speaking at a recent event, Xavi, who gave Yamal his professional debut, shared his thoughts on the vote and the winger’s incredible potential.
🗣️ High Praise from His Former Coach
Xavi stated that from his perspective, Lamine Yamal should have won the award. He mentioned that while many players like Vitinha, Salah, and Pedri also had strong cases, he felt Yamal’s individual performance stood out. “For me, of course he deserved it,” Xavi commented, expressing his pride in the young player’s achievements.
🌟 A Special and Fearless Talent
Reflecting on his decision to give Yamal his debut at just 15 years old, Xavi said he saw a player who was ready and confident beyond his years. He described Yamal as “one of the chosen ones” who could define an era in football. “He seemed very sure of himself, with a lot of qualities,” Xavi added, highlighting the young star’s fearlessness on the pitch.
🏆 The Importance of Team Trophies
Xavi explained that major team accomplishments often play a big role in deciding the Ballon d’Or winner. He suggested that “the collective titles weighed more” in this year’s voting, which is why the outcome favored other players. According to him, trophies are what ultimately “make the difference” in these individual awards.
✨ A Future Winner in the Making
Despite missing out this time, Xavi is confident that Yamal’s time will come. He predicted that the young winger is destined to win the Ballon d’Or in the future. “Lamine will win it, I am convinced of it,” Xavi said, adding that it will likely happen “when his team wins the Champions League or a World Cup.”
