Barcelona legend Ronaldinho will reportedly give out the 2025 Ballon d'Or in Paris on Monday night as Ousmane Dembele and Lamine Yamal vie for football's most prestigious individual award. Dembele is being tipped as the favourite to win the Golden Ball after playing a key role in Paris Saint-Germain's historic treble success last season.
If the voting process for the Ballon d'Or were truly fair, Lionel Messi would have 14 Golden Balls to his name instead of eight. The Barcelona legend was by far the best footballer in the world between 2008 and 2021, but had to concede defeat to Cristiano Ronaldo five times, and Luka Modric once, as the Real Madrid duo were rewarded for spearheading their team's unprecedented success in the Champions League.
If you thought the days of the Ballon d'Or generating headlines were over after Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo's era of dominance came to an end, then think again. After one of the most closely-fought races for a number of years, Rodri came out on top in 2024, beating Vinicius Jr into second place as Real Madrid dramatically boycotted the ceremony in Paris in protest at their star player missing out.
Barcelona’s teenage sensation Lamine Yamal has been praised for his unique mentality and natural brilliance by former La Masia talent Keita Balde. The ex-Barca winger likened Yamal’s style of play to a carefree kickabout with friends, highlighting the youngster’s spontaneity and joy on the pitch. The 18-year-old is being hailed as one of world football’s best players ahead of the 2025 Ballon d'Or ceremony.
Barcelona's first stop on the long road to European glory takes them to Newcastle, where they will come up against a formidable opponent and equally formidable atmosphere at St James' Park without the talismanic Lamine Yamal. The injured 18-year-old has been ruled out, having found himself at the centre of a feud between club and country, but loanee Marcus Rashford will be determined to make an impact in his absence.
Real Madrid star Kylian Mbappe has confirmed that he will skip the Ballon d'Or ceremony this year and revealed the player he wants to see win the 2025 Golden Ball. Mbappe scored 44 goals across all competitions and was La Liga's top scorer in his first season at Santiago Bernabeu, but does not feel he is a realistic Ballon d'Or contender because Real Madrid failed to win any major trophies.
Barcelona have been dealt a brutal blow with teenage sensation Lamine Yamal set to miss at least three matches through injury, sparking a war of words between manager Hansi Flick and the Spanish FA. The 18-year-old winger, already one of Europe’s most dazzling prospects, is sidelined by a stubborn groin problem that has been aggravated during international duty.
Paris Saint-Germain sporting director Luis Campos has poured cold water on suggestions that Barcelona wonderkid Lamine Yamal should win the Ballon d’Or, insisting the award has “no discussion” and must go to Ousmane Dembele. Yamal enjoyed an extraordinary season with Barcelona, but Campos highlighted Dembele’s treble-winning heroics with PSG as decisive.
Lamine Yamal was given an injection by the doctors and physiotherapists of the Spanish national team ahead of their World Cup qualifying clash against Turkey as he was experiencing acute lower back pain. The 18-year-old had sustained a minor injury in the sacroiliac region before joining up with the national team but was trusted to play in the international games, sparking fury at Barcelona.
Barcelona are set to hold high-level talks with the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) to resolve the feud over Lamine Yamal's injury. The move follows manager Hansi Flick's public criticism of Spain for playing the teenager while he was carrying an injury, which has now ruled him out of key club fixtures including this week's Champions League clash.
The Spanish football federation has hit back at Barcelona after Hansi Flick accused the national team of ignoring the possibility of Lamine Yamal suffering a potential injury. The teenager will not be available for the game against Valencia, which made Flick furious. However, the Spanish FA has clarified that they conducted all medical checks on Yamal.
Barcelona boss Hansi Flick has slammed Spain’s handling of Lamine Yamal after confirming the winger will miss his side’s La Liga clash with Valencia at Camp Nou on Sunday. Flick has said Spain were aware that Yamal was already nursing an injury when they decided to start the teenager in both their World Cup qualifiers against Bulgaria and Turkey this week.
Barcelona wonderkid Lamine Yamal has received his very own F50 boots as adidas launch the teenager’s second exclusive collection, just days after unveiling his personal logo. The 18-year-old attacker, who already boasts over 100 appearances for Barca, will debut the striking purple-and-pink design this week as his meteoric rise continues both on and off the pitch.
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