Papin Tips Barcelona’s Lamine Yamal for 2025 Ballon d’Or Glory

Former Ballon d’Or winner Jean-Pierre Papin has backed Barcelona wonderkid Lamine Yamal to win the prestigious 2025 award, overlooking French compatriots Kylian Mbappe and Ousmane Dembele.

The 17-year-old had a breathtaking campaign with Barcelona, playing a pivotal role in their domestic treble triumph. Yamal registered 18 goals and 25 assists in 55 appearances, numbers that speak volumes about his maturity and influence at such a young age.

Speaking to SPORT, Papin said:

“Lamine Yamal deserves to win the Golden Ball this year. For me, Yamal was the best and had an exceptional season.”

The youngster will have to fend off stiff competition from Mbappe, Dembele, Vitinha, and several other stars on the 30-man shortlist unveiled by France Football. Should he claim the prize on September 22, Yamal would become Barcelona’s seventh Ballon d’Or winner, and the first since Lionel Messi in 2019.

Opinion: A Golden Era Beckons for Yamal?

Papin’s endorsement is bold, but it reflects what many football fans have seen with their own eyes—Yamal is special. His numbers don’t just impress; they inspire. To deliver consistently for a club like Barcelona at 17 requires not only talent but also resilience, focus, and a winning mentality.

But here’s the twist: football’s biggest individual award is often influenced by narratives. Mbappe, fresh off his Euro heroics and PSG exit, will have a strong case. Dembele too, with his resurgence, cannot be ignored. Yet, Yamal represents something different—the next generational icon.

If he wins, it won’t just be a personal triumph. It would symbolize a passing of the torch from Messi’s legacy to the new face of Barcelona’s future. And for fans of the beautiful game, that’s the kind of story the Ballon d’Or was made for.

Whether he wins this year or not, one thing is certain: Lamine Yamal is knocking on football’s golden door—and it may open sooner than expected.