Zlatan Ibrahimovic has thrown his weight behind Lamine Yamal, touting him as a prime contender for Ballon d’Or glory.
From his days terrorizing defenses at AC Milan and PSG to his post-retirement role as a pundit, Zlatan’s opinions carry weight in football’s inner circles.
At 43, he’s transitioned from on-pitch dominance to off-field influence, frequently dissecting the game’s next generation with his trademark bluntness.
His latest commentary, delivered amid Barcelona’s resurgent La Liga campaign, shines a spotlight on one of the Blaugrana’s brightest young stars, whose meteoric rise has captivated global audiences.
In a bold endorsement aired on TNT Sports, Zlatan Ibrahimovic declared that Lamine Yamal has “done everything individually” to deserve the Ballon d’Or, positioning the 17-year-old Barcelona winger as a frontrunner to claim the prestigious award ahead of teammate Ousmane Dembele.
“Lamine Yamal did everything individually deserved to win Ballon d’Or… win over Ousmane Dembele,” Zlatan Ibrahimovic stated, emphasizing Yamal’s personal brilliance over collective achievements.
This claim comes at a pivotal time, with Yamal’s Euro 2024 heroics—scoring in the semi-final and final for Spain—still fresh, alongside his La Liga exploits of 27 goals and 38 assists in 111 appearances by age 18.
Yamal’s trajectory mirrors Ibrahimovic’s own early promise, but with a modern twist: blistering pace, pinpoint crossing, and a composure that belies his youth.
Injuries have tested him this season, limiting him to two goals and four assists in five games.
Yet, his synergy with stars like Robert Lewandowski and Marcus Rashford under Hansi Flick keeps Barcelona atop the table.
Zlatan’s nod elevates Yamal above Dembele, whose inconsistent form has drawn scrutiny despite his flair.
For Barcelona, securing the Ballon d’Or through Yamal would symbolize a new era, blending La Masia’s legacy with Flick’s tactical nous.
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