How Lamine Yamal went from Spain suspension to Ballon d'Or favourite as behind the scenes conversation revealed

Lamine Yamal is widely tipped to win the Ballon d'Or at the London Palladium on October 26, and the Barcelona superstar has overcome multiple setbacks to reach this point.

Yamal is slightly ahead of Bayern Munich's Harry Kane as the favourite to take home the gong and, in doing so, become the youngest player in history to win it.

The Spain international has established himself as one of the best players on the planet at the age of just 19, after inspiring Barcelona to a La Liga title before helping his country win a second World Cup this summer.

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Lamine Yamal's journey to Ballon d'Or favourite hasn't been straightforward

Known for cutting in from his right flank effortlessly and destroying defences with his low centre of gravity and elite ball control, Yamal's freakish talents allowed him to record 42 goal involvements in 45 appearances across all competitions last term.

Hansi Flick's superstar has already continued that breathtaking form into this campaign, having registered an eye-watering eight goals and six assists in just eight appearances at club level.

A joy to watch alongside Raphinha and Anthony Gordon, who have helped establish Barca as Europe's most feared trio, Yamal is doing everything in his power to win the Ballon d'Or.

But his journey to this point hasn't been as straightforward as people may think. Although he made his La Liga debut at the age of just 15 in April 2023 and then scored on his first appearance for Spain five months later, the electric winger encountered problems behind the scenes at Barca before rising to first-team stardom.

Yamal found himself in hot water with Spain's U17 side in 2023 when he was forced to serve a three-week ban following a disciplinary breach. Sergio Busquets, a Barcelona legend, instantly confronted the teenager and warned that his behaviour needed to change.

"I was once suspended from the youth national team for three weeks because we did some silly things, and Busi grabbed me one day as I was going up to training and said, ‘What did you do with the national team?" Yamal told Movistar, recalling Busquets’ stern tone.

After admitting he was terrified, Busquets replied: "Now you’re at Barça, everyone knows who you are, and no matter what kind of player you are, you have to behave."

That was the reality check Yamal needed, as he's since dedicated his full life to training, playing, and resting solely for football and reaped the rewards.

Three years after his warning, Barca's No. 10 has celebrated winning Euro 2024 and the World Cup with Spain, as well as three La Liga titles and two Spanish Super Cups.

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Hansi Flick thinks Lamine Yamal is the best in the world

Yamal scored four goals during the international break, including the opener against England, and the teenager is ready to continue his dazzling form with Barca.

The Catalan giants return to action on Saturday (October 10) with a home clash against Getafe, and in his press conference ahead of the game, Flick waxed lyrical over Yamal and his teammate Pau Cubarsi.

"His level is superb, and the same with Spain, and I watched him in London where I was in the stands, and you have to think about the players from a different perspective," Flick said.

"Cubarsi and Yamal are young and recover faster, and if he plays 60 or 70 minutes, that is a good thing, although he wants to play everything because he loves to play, and he will be the best player in the world if he isn't already.

"He is at the top and very close, and if he continues like this and tries to improve with this mentality, then I am happy with him."