'I hope it happens' Lamine Yamal eyes Ballon d'Or glory, outlines ambitions with Barcelona in 2025/26 season

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Lamine Yamal has claimed "every player wants to win the Ballon d’Or, and anyone who tells you otherwise is lying" ahead of this year's ceremony. At just 18 years old, the Barcelona teenager is among the favourites to win the prestigious trophy. He faces stiff competition though, with nine of PSG's UEFA Champions League winning squad on the 30-man shortlist.

Who do our pundits pick for the Ballon d'Or?

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We are now officially into Ballon d’Or month.

On September 22, one footballer will be crowned the world's best at a prestigious ceremony at the Theatre du Chatelet in Paris

It is the most distinguished individual accolade a player can receive in the sport, with past winners including the likes of Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo and Zinedine Zidane.

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The award is decided by a group of journalists from each of the top 100 FIFA-ranked nations, and brings endless debate around who deserves to be given the title of world’s best footballer.

One name in serious contention for the 2025 title is Lamine Yamal.

The Spanish teenager won a domestic treble with Barcelona last season, scoring 18 goals and registering 25 assists over 55 matches.

So far this season, he has scored in two of Barca’s opening three La Liga games.

"As a team, winning the Champions League with Barca would be incredible," he told RTVE, Spain’s national public broadcaster.

"Individually, every player wants to win the Ballon d’Or, and anyone who tells you otherwise is lying.

"Being there at 18 is something to be valued, and I hope it happens."

'Mesmerising' from Yamal as he scores worldie for Barcelona

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Yamal has also been lauded by his new team-mate Marcus Rashford, who is on loan at Barcelona from Manchester United.

The England international told Spanish outlet SPORT he is confident Yamal "will win the Ballon d’Or in the future" if he misses out this year.

"I think him, Dembele, Raphinha, they all deserve it," he added.

Yamal faces stiff competition for this year’s award though, with French forward Ousmane Dembele tipped to be the favourite.

The 28-year-old was part of PSG’s best-ever season in 2024/25, registering 35 goals and 16 assists across all competitions.

It was a historic treble-winning campaign, which included a first-ever UEFA Champions League trophy following a 5–0 win over Inter in the final in Munich.

Such an impressive campaign has led to nine of their players being nominated for this year’s Ballon d’Or, including Vitinha and Raphinha.

Ballon d'Or Explainer: How the 2025 men's and women's winners will be determined

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There are also nods for Mohamed Salah, Kylian Mbappe, Harry Kane and Cole Palmer.

We know for certain a new player will be crowned in 2025, with last year’s winner Rodri not featuring on the 30-man shortlist, having been sidelined for most of last season due to injury.

It is now most certainly a new era for the Ballon d’Or after years of dominance from Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi.

2024 was the first time neither of them featured in the shortlist since 2003. They were the only players to win the award between 2008 and 2017.

The Women’s Ballon d’Or will also be awarded at this month’s ceremony, with Alexia Putellas and Lionesses Alessia Russo and Leah Williamson among contenders.

There are also the men’s and women’s Kopa and Yashin trophies for the best young player and goalkeeper.

Stream the Premier League, Serie A, Men’s and Women’s FA Cup, UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League, UEFA Conference League and more on TNT Sports and discovery+

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