Lamine Yamal responded to finishing second in the Ballon d’Or behind Ousmane Dembélé, expressing faith in “God’s plan,” pride in winning his second Kopa Trophy, and congratulating the PSG star. At just 18, the Barcelona winger’s future looks destined for the top.
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Lamine Yamal has finally broken his silence following Monday night’s Ballon d’Or ceremony in Paris, where he narrowly missed out on one of football’s most prestigious prizes.
The Barcelona winger, who at just 18 years of age has already established himself as one of the brightest talents in world football, finished second in the voting behind Paris Saint-Germain’s Ousmane Dembélé. On Tuesday afternoon, Yamal turned to social media to share his thoughts, offering a mix of faith, humility and determination while also taking the opportunity to congratulate his former teammate.
“God’s plan is perfect, you have to climb to reach the top. Happy to have won the Kopa Trophy for the second time and congratulations to Dembélé for the award and for a great season,” Yamal wrote in a short but meaningful post. His words struck a balance between acceptance of the outcome and a clear statement of intent: that his time will come, and he remains on the path to the pinnacle of the sport.
The mention of the Kopa Trophy the award given annually to the best under-21 player in the world was significant. Yamal had already lifted the trophy once, and winning it again this year confirmed his status as the game’s outstanding young prospect. While missing out on the Ballon d’Or itself may have been a disappointment, the double Kopa recognition underlined his rapid rise and hinted at what could be ahead. Few players his age have ever reached such heights so early in their careers, and his ability to combine maturity with technical brilliance continues to set him apart.
Yamal’s congratulatory message to Dembélé also carried symbolic weight. The two share a Barcelona connection: Dembélé once wore the Blaugrana shirt before making the move to PSG, where he revitalized his career and put together the season that ultimately earned him the Ballon d’Or. Yamal’s public praise showed respect and sportsmanship, signaling that despite the rivalry between their clubs and the competitive nature of the award, there is recognition among peers of each other’s achievements.
Still, the young Spaniard’s words could not fully mask the disappointment felt in his camp. It is worth recalling that shortly after the ceremony, Yamal’s father voiced his frustration over the result, openly criticizing what he perceived as an unjust decision. Many within Barcelona circles also believed that the teenager’s extraordinary season in which he scored 18 goals and provided 25 assists in 55 appearances deserved the ultimate accolade. His consistency, creativity, and decisive contributions in big matches made a compelling case, and there is a sense among supporters and pundits alike that Yamal’s time at the top is only a matter of when, not if.
The Ballon d’Or outcome has also reignited broader debates in Spanish football. For Barcelona fans, Yamal’s second place was bittersweet: pride in his recognition, but also frustration that once again a Barça player had come close only to fall short. In contrast, PSG celebrated Dembélé’s triumph as validation of their project and proof that their squad, often criticized for underachievement, now contains the world’s best. The duel between Yamal and Dembélé is likely to fuel narratives for years to come, particularly as both players represent the new generation of stars tasked with succeeding legends like Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.
For Yamal himself, the setback may prove motivational. At 18, he has already achieved what most players dream of across an entire career. With the Kopa Trophy in hand for the second time and a Ballon d’Or runner-up finish, he has placed himself firmly in the conversation for future editions of the award. His response calm, gracious, and rooted in faith suggested a maturity well beyond his years and a belief that greater success lies ahead.
The young winger now turns his focus back to Barcelona, where he remains central to Xavi’s plans and to the club’s hopes of reclaiming dominance both domestically and in Europe. With his combination of pace, vision and finishing ability, Yamal is widely tipped to continue breaking records and, sooner rather than later, to return to the Ballon d’Or stage as the outright winner.
For now, he has shown the humility of a player who understands that greatness is a journey. And if his words are any indication, Lamine Yamal believes that journey is only just beginning.
