Barcelona star's agent believes he could win multiple Ballons d'Or if 'he is not distracted and always stays focused'
Lamine Yamal's agent Jorge Mendes has claimed that the Barcelona forward is capable of winning multiple Ballons d'Or if he stays focused on football. The 17-year-old is considered one of the best teenagers in the game and has been projected to reach great heights following his meteoric rise.
Yamal has been instrumental for both club and country since breaking onto the scene in the 2023-24 season. The teenage sensation recorded seven goals and nine assists in 50 games across competitions for La Blaugrana. He then capped off the campaign by playing a key part in Spain's Euro 2024 triumph, where he scored in the semi-final against France and provided four assists, including one in the final against England.
Yamal's impressive performance saw him win the 2024 Kopa Trophy and Golden Boy award. He also finished eighth overall in the 2024 Ballon d'Or rankings. His agent, Jorge Mendes, believes the Spaniard is a future Ballon d'Or winner, and could win the accolade several times if he stays focused.
"If he is not distracted and always stays focused, I'm sure that Lamine will win the Ballon d'Or, not once, but several times," Mendes said (as quoted by Barca Universal on X).
The Barcelona winger has been in good form this season. In 20 games, he has 18 goal contributions (6G & 12A).
Lionel Messi names Barcelona's Lamine Yamal as the new generation player who reminds him of his younger self
Barcelona legend Lionel Messi has named Lamine Yamal as one player from the new generation who has a huge future ahead of him. In a recent Adidas-sponsored event, the Inter Miami star was asked by a fan to mention a player from the younger generation who reminds him of his younger self. Messi replied (via Managing Barca on X):
"The new generation of young players is very good and has many years ahead of them. Well, I heard about Lamine Yamal, without a doubt. It depends on him, and also other things, to be consistent. But he is already part of the present and, without a doubt, he has a huge future ahead of him."
Messi and Yamal have quite a few things in common. Both players are products of Barcelona's famous La Masia academy and the 17-year-old's pattern style of play has been likened to that of the Argentine.