Why does Lamine Yamal continue to lose the Ballon d'Or?
Why it matters
Spain's victory at the 2026 World Cup highlighted Lamine Yamal's talent, but his position in third place in the race for the Ballon d'Or has raised questions about his visibility in world football. Despite his 25 goals for Barcelona, the young striker failed to gain the recognition many felt he deserved, which could affect his confidence and his future season.
Context
Lamine Yamal, Barcelona striker, is considered one of the most promising talents in modern football. His recent performance at the Ballon d'Or, where he received the award for Best Young Player in the World, highlights his potential, but also the challenges he faces to further emerge in the competitive environment of top-level football.
Key points
- Why does Lamine Yamal continue to lose the Ballon d'Or?.
- Lamine Yamal, despite successes with Spain and Barcelona, finished third in the race for the 2026 Ballon d'Or, behind Kane and Mbappé.
- Vi sao Lamine Yamal tiếp tục lỡ Quả Bóng Vàng?.
The awards ceremony, which took place at the London Palladium, saw Yamal accompanied by his family and a delegation from Barcelona. The young talent, who also made headlines for his unique style, took to the stage to receive the award for Best Young Player in the World for the third time in a row.
"I hoped that my partner Pau Cubarsi could win this award, because he deserves it," Yamal said during the awards ceremony. When Thierry Henry asked him if the Best Young Player award was what he wanted, Yamal smiled and replied: "No, I want everything, all the awards."
The 2025-2026 season was marked by numerous successes for Yamal, who proved his worth as one of football's most promising talents. However, according to French newspaper L'Équipe, his limited contribution during the World Cup was one of the main reasons why he did not achieve victory at the Ballon d'Or. Although Spain triumphed in the tournament, Yamal scored just one goal in eight matches, failing to make a decisive impact.
Furthermore, Barcelona's defeat in the Champions League quarter-finals against Atletico Madrid further affected their chances of winning the prestigious award. Considered by many to be Lionel Messi's successor, Yamal stands out for his creativity and technical ability, but the high expectations placed on him can also generate pressure.
During the World Championship in North America, Yamal showed a good level of performance, but did not shine as hoped. Unlike competitors such as Mbappé, Kane and Erling Haaland, who had impressive goal statistics, Yamal had to settle for a lower finish than expected.
Despite everything, third place in the Ballon d'Or ranking confirms the rapid progress of this young talent from Esplugues de Llobregat, near Barcelona. At just 19 years and 105 days, Yamal has already won both the Euro and the World Cup with the Spanish national team and has obtained three nominations for the Ballon d'Or, finishing eighth, second and third place respectively in the last three editions.
The award for Best Young Player of the season represents a small comfort for Yamal, who still has the opportunity to compete for this award next year too. However, his primary goal remains the Ballon d'Or. With almost two years left to try to beat Ronaldo Nazário's record, who won the award at 21 years and 92 days, Yamal has plenty of time to prove his worth and gain the recognition he craves.
What happens now
After a difficult week, in which Barcelona suffered two defeats in the Champions League and La Liga, Yamal will have to concentrate on recovering and contributing to the relaunch of his team. With the 2025-2026 season still underway, the young talent is expected to continue to prove his worth, looking to improve his performance and achieve more significant results with both club and country.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the final score of the voting for the 2026 Ballon d'Or?
Lamine Yamal finished in third place in the voting for the 2026 Ballon d'Or, behind Harry Kane and Kylian Mbappé.
How did Yamal's position influence the vote on Barcelona?
Yamal's position in third place in the Ballon d'Or voting did not have a direct impact on Barcelona's ranking, but it caused surprise among the fans.
What is Barcelona's next match after the Ballon d'Or ceremony?
The article does not specify Barcelona's next match after the Ballon d'Or ceremony.
How many goals did Lamine Yamal score in the 2025-2026 season?
Lamine Yamal scored 25 goals for Barcelona in the 2025-2026 season.
What was Yamal's performance during the 2026 World Cup?
During the 2026 World Cup, Yamal scored only one goal in eight matches, contributing only a limited amount to Spain's victory.
