Another gripping season of European action will conclude over the two months following the March international break. It’s no surprise that rumors are already heating up around the potential players who could be in the running for the prestigious Ballon d’Or.
Last year, Rodri’s victory sparked controversy, with Real Madrid players refusing to show up to the glitzy ceremony in protest. Their belief was that Vinicius Jr should have been crowned the world’s best player.
🥶 ᴬᵁᴿᴬ pic.twitter.com/VvN4gOw1jA
— Lamine Yamal 🇪🇸 (@Lamineeyamal__) March 17, 2025
Could Real Madrid’s anger reach even loftier heights in 2025 if Barcelona’s teenage sensation Lamine Yamal comes out on top?
Yamal’s Performances Gaining Attention
Rumors surrounding Yamal’s chances of winning a Ballon d’Or accelerated in the final round of La Liga matches before the March international window.
The teenage sensation played beyond his years in a stunning 4-2 win away from home against Atletico Madrid. It saw the hosts give up a two-goal lead for the first time in 14 years.
🤷♂️ pic.twitter.com/sAWLnT7cHe
— Lamine Yamal 🇪🇸 (@Lamineeyamal__) March 16, 2025
Yamal was the pioneering player in the comeback, scoring the crucial fifth goal in the game before Ferran Torres secured the win. The win was vital in the race for the La Liga title, as it moved Barcelona back to the summit. The added benefit was a game in hand over Real Madrid. A title success would undoubtedly enhance the young star’s chances of winning the honor in 2025.
Season Numbers
The 17-year-old burst onto the scene during last summer’s EUROs. However, there were questions about whether he could maintain that standard of performance over the course of an entire domestic season.
The numbers definitely indicate his continued progress, netting six times in 22 appearances in La Liga and adding a staggering eleven assists. Yamal currently leads the standings in terms of assists this season and has helped create an impressive 46 chances for the current leaders, averaging 2.1 per 90.
WHAT IT MEANS ❤️🔥 pic.twitter.com/z0xwltSEGW
— Lamine Yamal 🇪🇸 (@Lamineeyamal__) March 16, 2025
So far, Yamal has been awarded the Man of the Match Award on seven occasions in the season. He’s continued to make waves on the continent after recording six goal involvements in nine Champions League events.
How Do His Numbers Compare?
Stats play a significant impact on the general bearing of the destination of the Ballon d’Or. Unfortunately, Lamine’s records don’t rank him among the best players in his position. In fact, he isn’t even the most likely winner from Barcelona based on the metrics.
Instead, it’s Raphinha who could be the surprise winner of the award. The Brazilian has only registered eight assists in La Liga but has netted 13 goals in the Spanish top-flight. More importantly, the winger has been the in-form player throughout the Champions League after netting eleven and registering five assists in ten appearances.
Best in the World 🇧🇷🔥 pic.twitter.com/wE7B5xHsh0
— Lamine Yamal 🇪🇸 (@Lamineeyamal__) March 14, 2025
Real Madrid superstars Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius Jr are also likelier winners than Yamal at this stage. Mbappe has scored the second-highest number of goals in his debut season in La Liga. Vinicius was once again the man for the big occasion in Europe for Los Blancos after scoring seven in ten encounters.
However, based on numbers alone, Mohamed Salah should win the 2025 Ballon d’Or. The Egyptian has been electric for Liverpool, the runaway Premier League leaders, scoring a staggering 27 goals and adding 17 assists for good measure.
What Could Impact Ballon d’Or Vote?
Despite being the one-time favorite to win the award, Salah appears to be out of the running after Liverpool crashed out of the Champions League against PSG.
Success in Europe is the biggest factor when assessing the Ballon d’Or contenders, especially considering there’s no international tournament being staged this summer. Any player hopeful of winning the prestigious award will need to win the UCL title and a potential domestic honor.
— Lamine Yamal 🇪🇸 (@Lamineeyamal__) March 14, 2025
Yamal’s key role in Barcelona’s quest to win a treble this season raises his chances of winning the award. However, he’ll need to outperform all stars on the continent if he’s to become the youngest-ever winner of the Ballon d’Or.
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