Barcelona forward, Lamine Yamal, has admitted he expected to win the 2025 Ballon d’Or before eventually finishing behind Ousmane Dembele.
The 18-year-old made the revelation while reflecting on the award ceremony during a recent interview, saying he believed events leading up to the announcement had put him in a strong position to claim football’s biggest individual honour.
“Honestly, if I’m being sincere, I thought I was going to win it that day because of some things that happened,” Yamal said.
Although he missed out on the award, the Spain international said the outcome proved beneficial for his development.
“But it was actually good that Dembele won it. It helped me grow,” Yamal said.
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Yamal also spoke highly of Dembele, acknowledging the influence the French forward has had on both his career and personal growth.
The Barcelona star finished second in the 2025 Ballon d’Or voting, becoming one of the youngest players to secure a place among the top three.
Dembele claimed the award after a successful campaign for both club and country.
Despite the setback, Yamal remains one of the leading contenders for future editions of the Ballon d’Or.
The teenager is expected to be in contention for the 2026 award, particularly if he plays a key role in Spain’s World Cup campaign.
