Real Madrid right-back Dani Carvajal has tipped his Spain national teammate and Barcelona winger Lamine Yamal as one of the top contenders for this year’s prestigious Ballon d’Or award. Speaking to Cadena SER, Carvajal praised Yamal’s exceptional talent and youth, noting the difficulty of making a big impact in professional football at just 18 years old.
Carvajal reflected on his own early career, sharing, “I was at Castilla when I was 18, so it’s very difficult to make a difference at that age in professional football.” Despite not having a vote himself as he is not the team captain, Carvajal’s endorsement adds weight to the growing buzz around Yamal’s meteoric rise.
Lamine Yamal, included among 30 shortlisted players for the 2025 Ballon d’Or, has garnered acclaim for his performances with Barcelona and Spain, displaying maturity and skill well beyond his years. Though Oscar favorites for the award include other leading stars like Ousmane Dembélé, Yamal’s youth and impactful displays make him a compelling candidate to watch.
The winner for the 2025 Ballon d’Or will be announced later this month, and Yamal’s emergence signals a bright future as one of football’s next shining stars.