'You have to climb to get to the top' - Barcelona wonderkid Lamine Yamal releases mature statement after Ballon d'Or defeat to Ousmane Dembele

Yamal appeared in a whopping 55 matches for Barcelona across all competitions at the age of just 17 in the 2024-25 campaign, where he scored 18 goals and provided 25 assists. He played an important role in Barca's run to glory in La Liga, the Copa del Rey and the Spanish Super Cup. However, Dembele was given the edge based on his Champions League-winning exploits with PSG, and he also scored 17 more goals than Yamal across all competitions. 

A day after the ceremony in Paris, Yamal shared a mature post on Instagram and congratulated Dembele, as he wrote: "God’s plan is perfect, you have to climb to get to the top. Happy for the Kopa trophy x2 and congratulate @o.dembele7 for the award and the great season."

Even during the ceremony, the Barcelona sensation conducted him in a very classy manner as he was spotted hugging Dembele on the stage just moments after the PSG star was presented the Ballon d'Or. Also, the 18-year-old did not leave Paris empty-handed as he bagged the Kopa Trophy for the second time in a row. 

Yamal started the 2025-26 campaign with two goals and three assists in Barcelona's first three La Liga matches, however, he is a doubt for their next game against Oviedo on Thursday as he continues to recover from a groin injury.