Lamine Yamal has emerged as one of the top contenders for the 2025 Ballon d’Or, but the young star remains grounded despite the growing hype. His humble approach stands in stark contrast to Cristiano Ronaldo’s confident self-proclamations, which have often sparked debate. When asked if he believes he deserves the prestigious award, Yamal avoided any bold claims. The question came with a direct reference to Ronaldo, who has faced criticism for declaring himself the greatest footballer of all time, even above icons like Lionel Messi, Diego Maradona, and Pelé.
A journalist pressed Yamal, asking: *“Are you afraid to say that you might be the best player this year? Cristiano said it and got criticized—people called him arrogant. But maybe you think you deserve the trophy?”* Yamal responded with maturity during his appearance on *El Partidazo de COPE*, emphasizing his focus on teamwork and success rather than individual accolades. *“I don’t think about that. Thinking about the Ballon d’Or can get you into trouble,”* he said. The Barcelona prodigy explained that his priority is performing on the pitch and winning trophies. *“I focus on playing and winning—everything else will follow. If I win the Champions League and the World Cup next year, the rest will come,”* he added.
Yamal’s measured response highlights his humility and team-first mentality, qualities that have endeared him to fans and teammates alike. Unlike Ronaldo, who has never shied away from self-praise, Yamal prefers to let his performances speak for themselves. His attitude has drawn praise from fellow professionals, including Spain teammate Álvaro Morata.
The striker recently claimed that no current player impacts games as decisively as Yamal, further boosting the youngster’s Ballon d’Or credentials. As the race for football’s biggest individual honor heats up, Yamal’s humility could set him apart. While others may embrace the spotlight, he remains focused on collective success—proving that greatness doesn’t always need a microphone. With the Champions League and World Cup on the horizon, Yamal’s approach could ultimately silence any doubters. For now, he’s content to let his football do the talking.p