Barcelona coach Hansi Flick has expressed strong belief that Lamine Yamal’s disappointment after narrowly missing out on the 2025 Ballon d’Or will serve as a powerful motivation for the young star to push himself even further in the coming years.
Yamal finished as the runner-up to Paris Saint-Germain’s Ousmane Dembele, who clinched the prestigious award following an extraordinary 2024-25 season where he contributed significantly to PSG’s treble victory.
Despite being edged out for the top individual honor, Yamal’s performances throughout the season were remarkable, earning him the Kopa Trophy for the best player under 21 for the second consecutive year—an unprecedented achievement.
Flick praised Yamal for his mature and positive reaction to the result, highlighting how the 18-year-old accepted the outcome graciously and without bitterness.
The coach emphasized that this experience of coming so close yet not taking the prize will only fuel Yamal’s ambition and hunger to reach even greater heights on the pitch.
Flick noted that Yamal’s talent and determination mark him as a future Ballon d’Or contender, anticipating he will become a leading figure in world football.
The Barcelona coach also sought to reassure supporters regarding the team’s overall strength, noting that while Yamal’s presence is vital, the squad is deep and competitive even during his absence due to a current groin injury.
The broader context around the Ballon d’Or award race was intense, with Dembele’s stellar goal-scoring exploits and trophy haul at PSG giving him the edge.
Nonetheless, Yamal’s statistical contributions—18 goals and 21 assists in 55 games—across competitions helped Barcelona to multiple domestic titles and established him as a young star of immense promise.
Barcelona president Joan Laporta commented on the significance of the Champions League success for Dembele and expressed his confidence that Yamal’s near triumph was a stepping stone to future glory.
Beyond Flick’s insights, Yamal himself shared a philosophical and hopeful message after the ceremony, expressing faith in the process and emphasizing the need for continual hard work to win future awards.
His agent Jorge Mendes also voiced no doubt that Yamal would win multiple Ballon d’Or awards throughout his career, underscoring the high expectations surrounding his potential.
In summary, the Ballon d’Or disappointment has been framed by both coaching staff and the player himself as a moment that will inspire Lamine Yamal’s continued growth, ambition, and pursuit of excellence in football.
The combined support from Barcelona’s management and the player’s mindset points to a bright and determined future ahead for the young forward.
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