Xavi: “Lamine Yamal Deserved the Ballon d’Or — His Time Will Come”
Former FC Barcelona coach Xavi Hernández has made headlines once again after sharing his thoughts on the Ballon d’Or — and in particular, on Lamine Yamal.
According to the legendary midfielder, the teenage Barcelona sensation had everything needed to win this year’s award, but team success proved decisive.
“In my opinion, of course he deserved it,” Xavi said. “Just like Vitinha, Salah, Pedri, and Raphinha… many players did. But in the end, the trophies Dembélé won carried more weight.”
Xavi, who gave Yamal his senior debut at Barça, remains convinced that the 17-year-old is destined to lift the Ballon d’Or one day. Still, he pointed out that such honors are often tied to collective triumphs.
“Lamine will win it — I’m sure of that. But it will happen when his team wins the Champions League or the World Cup,” he added confidently.
The former Barcelona boss also took aim at the current Ballon d’Or voting system, suggesting that individual brilliance often takes a back seat to team achievements.
“People forget that football is a team sport,” he said. “You can be the best player in the world, but if your team doesn’t win, you’re overlooked. That’s exactly what happened with Yamal.”
Xavi fondly recalled the moment he and his coaching staff first saw Yamal train with the first team.
“We spoke about it among ourselves — we said he had Ballon d’Or potential. From the very first session, you could see it. He was special — one of the chosen ones,” Xavi revealed.
Despite his admiration for Yamal, Xavi was quick to recognize Ousmane Dembélé’s merit. The PSG star claimed this year’s Ballon d’Or after a remarkable season in France.
“Dembélé is an extraordinary player,” Xavi said. “He proved it by winning major titles and playing a decisive role in the Champions League. Naturally, that influenced the voters.”
For Xavi, PSG’s European dominance ultimately tipped the balance.
“That was the difference — PSG’s players won everything. When you achieve that level of success, the Ballon d’Or comes naturally. Lamine will have his moment, I have no doubt.”
The Barça icon also compared Yamal to other midfield talents like Pedri and Frenkie de Jong, while highlighting what sets him apart.
“Vitinha, Pedri, and De Jong control matches — but Yamal and Dembélé decide them. There’s a big difference between dominating and deciding. The biggest awards go to the players who make the difference,” he explained.
Spain’s national team coach Luis de la Fuente also weighed in, showing support for Yamal:
“Dembélé is a great player, but I would have preferred a Spaniard to win. Yamal deserved it, without a doubt.”
Despite the disappointment, optimism continues to grow around the young winger. To many fans, Lamine Yamal is more than a promising talent — he’s already a generational figure leading Barcelona’s next era.
At just 17, he continues to dazzle with his skill, intelligence, and maturity beyond his years. Xavi summed it up best:
“Lamine doesn’t need the Ballon d’Or to prove his greatness. That recognition will come naturally when Barcelona conquers Europe again.”
In the end, Xavi’s words reflect the sentiment shared across Catalonia — immense pride in Yamal’s rise and faith in his future. The teenager embodies everything Barcelona stands for: talent, courage, and humility.
And while he may have missed out this year, few doubt that one day, the golden trophy will be his.
