Barcelona’s season continues to provide headlines, both on and off the pitch, as the Catalan giants push forward with their ambitious project under Joan Laporta.
The defending LaLiga champions have already shown their intent in Europe this season, looking to build on last year’s domestic treble.
Their bright start to the campaign has been fuelled by a blend of experienced stars and emerging talents.
This week’s Ballon d’Or ceremony added another talking point for Barcelona supporters, as the 18-year-old prodigy narrowly missed out on football’s biggest individual honour.
The award went to Paris Saint-Germain forward Ousmane Dembele, who enjoyed a remarkable season after helping his side secure a historic treble, including their first ever Champions League title.
Dembele’s 35 goals in 53 appearances across all competitions gave him the edge in the final vote.
Yamal’s incredible year was hardly overlooked.
The Barcelona and Spain forward became the only multiple-time Kopa Trophy winner in history, an award given to the best player under 21.
His 18 goals in 55 games played a key role in Barca’s LaLiga, Spanish Supercopa and Copa del Rey triumphs, while they reached the Champions League semi-finals before falling to Inter Milan.
LaLiga president Javier Tebas was adamant that the youngster’s age was the only reason he did not collect the main prize.
“If he had been older than 23, he would have won it, too, I’m sure, but since he was younger, they gave him the other one [Kopa trophy],” Tebas said in reference to Lamine Yamal and the Ballon d’Or result, as per ESPN.
Barcelona president Joan Laporta, however, believes the Champions League proved decisive.
With PSG lifting Europe’s biggest trophy, Laporta admitted the achievement tipped the scales in Dembele’s favour.
Yamal himself showed maturity beyond his years when receiving the Kopa Trophy.
He stated he has to “keep on working to win other awards in the future.”
Tebas remains confident that the Barcelona sensation will eventually get his hands on the game’s greatest individual prize.
“If he continues at the level he’s at, which seems likely, I think there’s no doubt he’ll win the Ballon d’Or,” he said.
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