Ballon d'Or: Can Lamine Yamal break R9's record?

Lamine Yamal is on the verge of making football history. At just 17 years old, the young FC Barcelona prodigy is already emerging as one of the frontrunners for the 2025 Ballon d'Or after a sensational season.

The Spanish international dazzled in Blaugrana colors, playing a pivotal role in an historic treble: La Liga, Copa del Rey, and Spanish Super Cup. His impact on the pitch and technical maturity have earned him the admiration of the footballing world.

Among his supporters stands a legend: Hristo Stoitchkov. The 1994 Ballon d'Or winner praised Yamal's stunning qualities in an interview with Spanish outlet Carrusel Deportivo, stating that he already has everything it takes to reach the top, despite his young age.

However, Stoitchkov reminded everyone that the competition remains fierce, naming Marquinhos and Vitinha as serious contenders. Notably, neither Ousmane Dembélé nor Achraf Hakimi featured on his list.

Towards a historic record?

If Lamine Yamal were to win the Ballon d'Or this year, he would become the youngest winner in history, breaking the record set by Brazilian legend Ronaldo Nazário, who claimed the prize in 1997 at 21 years and 96 days old after a memorable season with Inter Milan.

The youngest Ballon d'Or winners

1. Ronaldo Nazário – 21 years and 96 days (1997)
   
2. Michael Owen – 22 years and 4 days (2001)
   
3. Lionel Messi – 22 years and 106 days (2009)
   
4. George Best – 22 years and 216 days (1968)
   
5. Oleg Blokhin – 23 years and 55 days (1975)
   
   

Also to read: Nations League: Cristiano Ronaldo's message for Lamine Yamal after the triumph!

Mohamed Rek |

Editorfr, ar, en

Mohamed Rek- sports content writer with over 10 years of experience creating football content in Arabic and French for platforms such as Foot Africa and Starafrica, combining accuracy, creativity, and audience engagement.