Ballon d'Or 2025: Luis de la Fuente lists Lamine Yamal alongside four Spain team-mates as favourites
Published 11/09/2025 at 10:45 GMT+1
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Spain manager Luis de la Fuente claimed that five Spanish players could win the Ballon d'Or this season, including 18-year-old Barcelona sensation Lamine Yamal. The teenager is among the favourites, having scored some 18 goals and registered 25 assists last term as Hansi Flick's side won La Liga, the Copa del Rey and the Spanish Supercopa last season.
'He has it all' - Yamal backed to become a 'football legend' by De La Fuente
Video credit: TNT Sports
Spain manager Luis de la Fuente suggested that a spate of his players should be in the Ballon d’Or conversation.
The Ballon d’Or, which honours the player deemed to have performed the best in the world over the previous season, will be awarded at a ceremony in Paris on September 22.
Among the favourites to win this year’s competition is Barcelona’s 18-year-old sensation Lamine Yamal, after the attacker netted 18 goals and registered 25 assists last term as Hansi Flick's side won La Liga, the Copa del Rey and the Spanish Supercopa.
Yamal has started this campaign in similar form, having scored twice and provided two assists in his three La Liga games so far.
And De la Fuente insisted that Yamal should be in the running for this year’s Ballon d’Or, alongside his Spain team-mate Fabian Ruiz, who played a starring role as Paris Saint-Germain won their maiden Champions League last term.
"I would give it to a Spaniard; I'm happy if it went to Fabian or Lamine Yamal," De la Fuente told El Larguero via Ser. "But what about Mikel Merino, Fabian, Dani Olmo, or Pedri?"
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Lamine Yamal celebrates after Spain score their fourth goal during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group E qualification match against Turkey in Konya
Image credit: Getty Images
On Yamal, the Spain boss said: "One thing is what he conveys externally and another is how he is internally.
"He's a kid, who works in the gym, with the physio, with the nutritionist, while also taking psychological care.
"He started with us at 16 and has shown impressive maturity. He handles the pressure naturally and with a control that is admirable.
"When I speak to him in private, of course he's just a kid, but I'm scared by the reflections he makes. I'm glad he's like this.
"We talk, I like being very close to him and that the player is calm and knows there's open communication.
"Lamine Yamal has the potential to be the best in the world, but what do you say about Mikel Merino, Fabian, Dani Olmo or Pedri? They are the best players in their positions."
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Yamal, meanwhile, admitted that he is targeting multiple Ballon d’Or awards in his career, and added that he would be to blame if he never claims the coveted prize.
"I told my friends I don't dream of winning one Ballon d'Or, I dream of winning many," he told the podcast Resonancia de Corazon. "I think I'm a player who has the ability to win it, and if I don't, it's because I haven't done things right or because I haven't wanted to.
"So, I dream of winning the Ballon d'Or many times and when the day comes [that I win it], I'll be very happy."
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