Lamine Yamal Reacts After Missing Out on Ballon d’Or to Dembele

Barcelona starlet Lamine Yamal has spoken out after narrowly missing out on the 2025 Ballon d’Or, which was awarded to Paris Saint-Germain’s Ousmane Dembele on Monday night in Paris.

The 17-year-old winger delivered a sensational 2024/25 campaign for Barcelona, registering 18 goals and 25 assists in 55 appearances while helping the club clinch La Liga, the Copa del Rey, and the Spanish Super Cup. However, Dembele’s Champions League triumph with PSG and superior goal tally — 17 more than Yamal across all competitions — ultimately tipped the scales in his favour.

Despite the setback, Yamal responded with maturity and optimism. In an Instagram post, he wrote: “God’s plan is perfect, you have to climb to get to the top. Happy for the Kopa trophy x2 and congratulate @o.dembele7 for the award and the great season.” The teenager also showed class at the ceremony, warmly congratulating Dembele on stage moments after the Frenchman was crowned.

Yamal did not leave Paris empty-handed, as he collected the Kopa Trophy for the second year running, underlining his rapid rise in world football. He has already begun the 2025/26 season strongly with two goals and three assists in three league outings, though a groin injury has left him doubtful for Barcelona’s upcoming clash with Oviedo on Thursday.