Barcelona’s young star Lamine Yamal has spoken candidly about the moment he believed he had secured football’s most coveted individual prize, only to watch it slip through his fingers. The teenager admitted that missing out on the Ballon d’Or to Ousmane Dembele ended up being a crucial experience that pushed him to grow personally and professionally.

Ballon d’Or disappointment and personal growth

Yamal shared that he genuinely expected to be named the world’s best player at the previous Ballon d’Or ceremony. The Barcelona winger, who has enjoyed a rapid ascent to global stardom, confessed that the setback of not winning was a defining moment in his early career.

“To be honest, that day I thought I was going to win it,” Yamal said in a video posted on his YouTube channel.

However, the 18-year-old now sees the outcome differently, believing that losing to his former Barcelona teammate Ousmane Dembele was a blessing in disguise. “I honestly believe it was good for me that Dembele won it, so that I could develop. Maybe it wasn’t my time yet,” he added, explaining that the experience made him reassess his priorities and mature off the pitch.

Lessons from the international arena

Reflecting on his time with the Spanish national team, Yamal opened up about the pressure that comes with performing at the highest level. Despite becoming a key figure in Spain’s Euro 2024 triumph, the young forward admitted that the early stages of his international journey were filled with nerves and overwhelming expectations.

“I was just a kid; you get butterflies because it’s an international tournament. I learnt to stay calmer. The matches are long, and so are the tournaments. You always finish better than you start,” Yamal explained.

Role models and Neymar’s lasting impact

Although Yamal himself has become an inspiration for countless young players, he continues to look up to some of football’s most iconic figures. When asked about the players he enjoys watching the most, the La Masia graduate immediately pointed to a Brazilian superstar who left a lasting legacy at the Spotify Camp Nou.

“I’ll always enjoy watching Ney because he’s my idol,” Yamal said, paying homage to Neymar. The young Spaniard also mentioned that he admires several modern stars from the Premier League and Ligue 1.

He specifically named Jeremy Doku and Rayan Cherki as players he enjoys observing, noting his admiration for their dynamic, skillful style of play and creative energy on the wings.

The World Cup dream and a playful promise

With the 2026 World Cup on the horizon, Yamal has already started visualising what success on the world stage might look like. Having established himself as a key part of Spain’s attacking setup, he is widely viewed as one of the leading contenders for the tournament’s Golden Ball award.

In a lighthearted message to his fans, Yamal made a fun promise for if Spain lift the World Cup trophy in two years’ time. “If we win the World Cup, I’ll grow a beard and moustache for three weeks,” he said with a smile.