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| Lamine Yamal vs Dembélé: Nations League Showdown Could Decide Ballon d’Or Winner. |
The Ballon d’Or race is heating up, and guess what? We might just get a sneak peek at who’s got the upper hand this Thursday when Spain takes on France in the UEFA Nations League semifinals. Yep, it’s Lamine Yamal vs Ousmane Dembélé, and fans are already calling it the unofficial Ballon d’Or decider.
But Yamal isn’t entirely buying into that idea.
“I think the award should go to the best player of the whole year, not just whoever wins one match,” Yamal said during an interview with El Partidazo de COPE. “Still, if people want to make Thursday the deciding factor, then hey—let’s play!”
Yamal’s got a solid case. The 16-year-old phenom has been electric for Barcelona, playing a key role in their domestic treble—winning La Liga, Copa del Rey, and Supercopa de España. But the competition is fierce. Dembélé had an amazing season too, helping Paris Saint-Germain win the Champions League, completing a European treble and putting his name right in the Ballon d’Or conversation.
Other big names like Mohamed Salah from Liverpool and Raphinha, Yamal’s teammate, are also in the mix. But all eyes are on Thursday’s clash between Yamal and Dembélé.
“If it doesn’t go my way or Dembélé’s on Thursday, then who gets your vote? Someone from Sunday’s final?” Yamal said. “In my opinion, it’s about the full year. But if folks wanna boil it down to one match—bring it on.”
To be fair, Dembélé might still have one more opportunity to strengthen his Ballon d’Or case—the upcoming FIFA Club World Cup, which PSG will play in. Unfortunately for Yamal, Barcelona didn’t qualify for that competition, meaning his Ballon d’Or chances hinge on what he’s already accomplished this season.
That said, even if Yamal doesn’t win this year, the future’s bright. He still has a chance to become the youngest-ever Ballon d’Or winner in history if he wins it in the next few years. The current record holder? Brazilian legend Ronaldo Nazário, who was 21 years and 3 months old when he won in 1997. Yamal’s only 16. Time is definitely on his side.
So, is Thursday’s match really the Ballon d’Or decider? Maybe. Maybe not. But one thing’s for sure—Lamine Yamal is ready to compete, and his message is clear: Let’s play.
If you’re a football fan, this is one matchup you don’t want to miss. Stick around for more updates on rising stars, major tournaments, and all the buzz in the football world!
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