The season that left 18-year-old Yamal one step away from the Ballon d'Or

Lamine Yamal has finished as second in the ranking for the 2025 Ballon d’Or, capping a remarkable rise for Barcelona’s teenage prodigy.

At just 18 years old, his consistent brilliance for both club and country made him one of the clear favourites in this year’s voting. With Barcelona, Yamal delivered astonishing numbers in the 2024‑25 season.

He scored 18 goals and registered 21 assists across La Liga, the Champions League, the Copa del Rey and the Spanish Super Cup.

One unforgettable moment came when he struck the opening goal in Barca’s 5‑2 Spanish Super Cup triumph over Real Madrid.

Internationally, Yamal’s growth was just as striking

In 2024, he inspired Spain to European Championship glory with a string of stellar displays. That same year, he also led La Roja to the UEFA Nations League final, finishing as runners‑up. His creativity, composure and attacking flair at such a tender age have drawn admiration worldwide.

Many observers hail this Ballon d’Or as merely the first of several that Yamal could collect in the future. By eclipsing Ronaldo’s long‑standing record, the Barcelona starlet has underlined his place as football’s new generational icon.