Spain’s coach Luis de la Fuente praised Lamine Yamal after his brilliant performance against France in the Nations League semi-final. The 17-year-old Barcelona forward helped Spain win an exciting 5-4 match by scoring two goals. Thanks to his efforts, Spain reached the Nations League final for the third time in a row and will face Portugal next.
Many believe the race for this year’s Ballon d’Or is between Yamal and France’s Ousmane Dembele, as both players have played key roles for their teams throughout the season.
Speaking to RTVE after the match, De la Fuente said, “Yamal proved tonight that he deserves the Ballon d’Or. In my opinion, he’s the best player in the world right now.”
The 28-year-old Dembele, who used to play for Barcelona, has had a great season, winning the Champions League, Ligue 1, French Cup, and French Super Cup. Meanwhile, Yamal has also had a successful year, winning LaLiga, the Spanish Cup, and the Spanish Super Cup.
“I always tell my mum the same thing—I just try to give my best,” said Yamal. “That’s what pushes me every day. It’s the reason I play football. I prefer to let my game speak for itself on the field.”
Yamal praised Dembele, saying he’s a fantastic player, especially after watching his Champions League performances. But he added that he’s happy his own team has reached the final.
The list of players nominated for the 2025 Ballon d’Or, which looks at performances from August 1 to July 31, will be revealed in early August. The award ceremony will take place on September 22.
