Yamal still has a chance to win the Golden Ball

Lamine Yamal played well against Inter Milan.

Yamal even has the right to dream of winning the Golden Ball this year, having made a strong impression on experts and fans.

Barca lost, but Yamal still thrived

Yamal had an impressive second leg semi-final, with every touch of the ball containing excellence and innovation. If it weren't for the brilliance of goalkeeper Yann Sommer or a little luck, the 17-year-old prodigy would have scored at least 2 goals and turned the game around. Former striker Wayne Rooney commented that he had rarely seen a player who, despite not scoring or assisting in a match, still made people admire like Yamal.

Although Barcelona could not advance to the final, Yamal still left a strong impression. This year, the 17-year-old talent may not have won the Champions League, but with what he has shown, he will help Barcelona become a leading candidate for the tournament next season.

The question now is whether Yamal is capable of winning the Ballon d'Or this year? In terms of personal form, in the 2024/25 season, the Spanish talent scored 15 goals and had 24 assists in 51 matches for Barcelona, helping the team lead La Liga and enter the top 4 of the Champions League.

Yamal's individual statistics are still less impressive than top candidates such as Raphinha (32 goals, 25 assists) or Mohamed Salah (33 goals, 23 assists). However, the 2025 Ballon d'Or race promises to have many twists and turns, even though Barcelona has been eliminated from the Champions League.

The unpredictable Golden Ball race

The Ballon d'Or usually goes to players who win major trophies. In 2025, there will be no major national team tournaments (World Cup or Euro), so club achievements will be the main factor.

Yamal's Barcelona are top of La Liga and have won the Copa del Rey and Spanish Super Cup. However, their exit from the Champions League has significantly reduced Yamal's chances.

Lamine Yamal has the elements to become the owner of the Golden Ball.

The hope for the Spanish striker lies in the fact that Inter Milan have reached the final, with two potential opponents being PSG or Arsenal. If PSG reach the Champions League final and win the championship, Dembele will be a strong candidate for the Golden Ball because of the striker's extremely impressive statistics (33 goals, 12 assists).

However, if Inter or Arsenal win the European Championship, neither team will have enough outstanding individuals to compete for the Golden Ball. The opportunity will then be divided among players from teams that do not win the Champions League, such as Salah (Liverpool), Kane (Bayern), or Raphinha, Yamal (Barca).

Most importantly, Yamal's performances this season have been more than just impressive in terms of statistics. He has shown creativity, technical brilliance and a footballing mind that is beyond his years.

His curling effort against Inter Milan in the first leg of the Champions League semi-final was testament to the youngster's ability to create decisive moments.

Obviously, Yamal needs to maintain his leadership role in big matches. The upcoming El Clasico against Real Madrid in La Liga round 35 will be an opportunity for Yamal to continue to impress. If Barca win, they will almost have one hand on the La Liga championship, and increase the chances of Raphinha or Yamal competing for the Ballon d'Or.

In addition, we must also consider the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup, where many big European teams such as Real Madrid, PSG, Bayern Munich, Inter Milan or Manchester City will participate. Players who shine in this tournament will also have more opportunities to compete for the Golden Ball.

Yamal is currently ranked highly by bookmakers and experts, with a 28% chance of winning the Ballon d'Or (statistics from Opta ), surpassing Raphinha (23%) and Salah (10%). This is understandable when the Ballon d'Or race is not only a statistical race but also a story that touches the emotions of voters.

Yamal, at 17, has broken a number of records and produced jaw-dropping performances. Comparisons with Lionel Messi, who once bathed Yamal as a child, have also generated huge media interest.

Regardless of the outcome of this year's Ballon d'Or race, Yamal is well on his way to becoming a legend. At his current pace of development, it seems only a matter of time before he wins this prestigious individual award.

Barca's 3 goals in the match against Inter On the morning of May 7, Barcelona led 3-2 until the 90+2 minute but was still equalized by Inter, then lost 3-4 in extra time in the second leg of the Champions League semi-final.

Source: https://znews.vn/yamal-van-sang-cua-gianh-qua-bong-vang-post1551554.html