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Topics: Lamine Yamal, Barcelona, FC Barcelona, Lionel Messi, Neymar, Cristiano Ronaldo, Paris Saint-Germain
John McDougall
Topics: Lamine Yamal, Barcelona, FC Barcelona, Lionel Messi, Neymar, Cristiano Ronaldo, Paris Saint-Germain
Lamine Yamal has named a former Barcelona star who he feels deserves to win the Ballon d'Or but has never managed to.
Yamal is one of the rising stars of world football thanks to his remarkable achievements in the game despite being aged just 18.
He made his Barcelona debut at the age of just 15 back in 2023 and has so far scored 27 goals in 109 appearances for the Catalan side since then.
Yamal has been part of the a Barcelona team which has won two La Liga titles, the Copa del Rey and the Supercopa de Espana.
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Yamal has also scored six goals in 23 caps for Spain and was part of the squad which won Euro 2024, beating England 2-1 in the final.
He became the youngest player to ever be nominated to win the Ballon d'Or at the age of just 17, and is expected to be among the favourites to win the award for the 2024/25 campaign.
He is one of several Barcelona players to be nominated for the award, along with Robert Lewandowski, Raphinha and Pedri.
The teenager hopes he can claim the award and admits it would be a proud moment if he did win the accolade at the age of just 18.
Speaking to RTVE, Yamal said: "Obviously, every player wants to win the Ballon d'Or, and anyone who says they don't is lying.
"Being there at 18 is something to be proud of, and I hope it happens."
Yamal was then asked who he would like to see win the award if it is not him, and he named two former Barcelona stars in the form of Lionel Messi and Neymar.
He said: "Neymar and Messi. I'd give one to Ney, I think he deserves it.
"Ney back when he was playing for Barca or Paris Saint-Germain would absolutely deserve one now. I would’ve liked to see him win it.
"And obviously Messi, because he's the best in history."
Messi is widely regarded as football's GOAT and has won the Ballon d'Or a record eight times.
Neymar was a team-mate of Messi's at Barcelona and won the Champions League and two La Liga titles at the Camp Nou, before moving to PSG in 2017 for what remains the world record transfer fee of €222m.
Neymar moved to Saudi Pro League side Al Hilal in 2023 and returned to boyhood club Santos in January of this year.
The Brazilian's best result in the Ballon d'Or was third placed finishes in 2015 and 2017 behind Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.
Messi claimed the 2015 award while Ronaldo emerged triumphant in 2017.