Ballon d’Or 2025: LaLiga Boss Says Lamine Yamal Lost to Dembele Because of His Age

LaLiga president Javier Tebas has claimed that Barcelona sensation Lamine Yamal was denied the 2025 Ballon d’Or purely because of his age.

The 18-year-old winger finished runner-up behind Paris Saint-Germain’s Ousmane Dembele, who lifted the prestigious prize after inspiring PSG to their Champions League triumph.

Yamal did not leave empty-handed, however, winning the Kopa Trophy for the second consecutive year — an award reserved for the best young player in world football.

“If he had been older than 23, he would have won it, too, I’m sure,” Tebas said. “But since he was younger, they gave him the other one [Kopa Trophy].”

Laporta Credits Champions League Factor

Barcelona president Joan Laporta offered a different perspective, insisting that Dembele’s Ballon d’Or win was down to PSG’s Champions League success rather than Yamal’s age.

Despite the disappointment, Tebas expressed confidence that Yamal’s moment at the top of world football is inevitable. “He will win the Ballon d’Or soon,” he added.