Lamine Yamal becomes youngest player ever to secure top 10 spot in Ballon d'or ranking, breaks record held by Kylian Mbappe
Lamine Yamal has broken another record, as he is set to become the youngest player to secure a top-10 finish at the Ballon d'Or. The Barcelona youngster takes the place of Real Madrid ace Kylian Mbappe, who was previously the youngest player to achieve this feat.
For Yamal, 2024 has been a year of dreams as he has gone from being just another youngster to being one of the world's best players. Still only 17, the youngster has received validation from multiple sources on and off the pitch and has earned a growing list of accolades.
Lamine Yamal became the youngest-ever player to receive a Ballon d'Or nomination when he made the 30-man shortlist earlier this year. Now, with the rankings being released in batches, the 17-year-old is among the top 10 players on the list. The forward is ranked eighth on the list above the likes of Toni Kroos and Harry Kane.
Yamal is ranked in the top 10 alongside some of world football's biggest names, including Erling Haaland, Mbappe, Vinicius Jr, Rodri, Lautaro Martinez, Jude Bellingham, and Dani Carvajal. Being in such an esteemed company means that the teenager has surpassed Mbappe in being the youngest to receive such an honor.
Back in 2017, Kylian Mbappe finished in seventh place in the Ballon d'Or rankings aged just 18 years and 352 days old. At 17 years and 107 days old, Yamal has overtaken him as the youngest ever to finish in the top 10.
Lamine Yamal wins Kopa Trophy at Ballon d'Or gala
Barcelona prodigy Lamine Yamal has been named as the winner of the 2024 Kopa Trophy, an award given to the world's best U-21 player. The youngster succeeds club rival Jude Bellingham, who won it in his first season at Real Madrid last year.
Spanish sensation Yamal has become the youngest recipient of the Kopa Trophy at just 17 years old after a brilliant year for club and country. He was pivotal in Spain's Euro 2024 triumph, winning the Goal of the Tournament and Young Player of the Tournament awards. He also earned a place in the Team of the Tournament.
Yamal becomes the third Barcelona player to receive the award, which is usually handed out on the same night as the Ballon d'Or, in four years. He follows Pedri (2021) and Gavi (2022) in winning the award, continuing his club's dominance of the category.
Lamine Yamal already has six goals and seven assists in 14 games across all competitions for Barcelona this season under Hansi Flick. The youngster is not stopping his rapid ascent to the summit of world football, and his latest accolade is further proof.