Lamine Yamal was asked whether he thinks he deserves to win the Ballon d'Or by a reporter who referenced Cristiano Ronaldo's perceived arrogance.
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Yamal asked if he deserves Ballon d'OrInterviewer references 'jerk' RonaldoTeenager staying grounded over chancesFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?
Ronaldo raised a few eyebrows earlier this year when he declared himself the GOAT ahead of Lionel Messi, Diego Maradona, Pele and indeed Yamal. The Barca teenager, who is in contention to win the Ballon d'Or, has now been asked about Ronaldo's comments and whether he would be tempted to follow suit and declare himself the best player in the world currently. Yamal was asked: "Are you ashamed to say that maybe, for you, you are the best player of the year? That happened to Cristiano, who said it, and then people said he was a jerk. But maybe you think you deserve the trophy?"
AdvertisementGetty Images SportWHAT LAMINE YAMAL SAID
Yamal was quick to respond with a diplomatic answer. He told "I don't think about it. You'll be in trouble if you think about winning the Ballon d'Or. You think about playing, winning, and it will come. If I win the Champions League and the World Cup next year, it will come. It's about enjoying it and letting it come when it has to."
Getty Images SportTHE BIGGER PICTURE
Still to celebrate his 18th birthday, Yamal played a huge role in Barcelona securing a La Liga, Copa del Rey and Supercopa de Espana domestic treble in 2024-25. His 43 combined goals and assists, his all-round starring role and the fact that he is still of school age, has made made the youngster a Ballon d'Or contender. However, there is stiff competition from Barcelona team-mate Raphinha, Liverpool hero Mohamed Salah and Paris Saint-Germain talisman Ousmane Dembele for when the prize is handed out in September.
DID YOU KNOW?
The youngest ever Ballon d'Or winner to date is Ronaldo Nazario, who was 21 years and three months when he captured his first gong in 1997. If Yamal wins it in 2025, 2026, 2027 or 2028, aged 21 years and two months in the latter, he would break that record.
