Sports Desk: Three months ago, he cut his 17th birthday cake, whose youthful smile has not yet disappeared, Lamine Yamal's appearance on the field is completely different. He is very adept at breaking the opponent's defense with all his speedy attacks. The Spanish forward is running at the same speed. Finally added to his career was the feat of becoming the youngest player to win the Copa Award. This time he dreams of winning the Ballon d'Or at the youngest age, wants to break 'The Phenomenon' Ronaldo's record.
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Yamal has been making great achievements and records since the beginning of his career in Barcelona, and that journey has not stopped in the Spanish national team. He played an outstanding role in Spain's title win at the last Euro. Earlier, his performance for the club in the 2023-24 season was eye-catching.
Together, Yamal won the under-21 men's football player of the year award at the Ballon d'Or in Paris on Monday night. Born on 13 May 2007, Yamal became the third Barcelona player to win the award after Pedri in 2021 and Gavi in 2022.
He surpassed teammate Gavi, the Spanish midfielder who won the award at the age of 18, to become the youngest winner of the award.
Yamal is very happy with this personal achievement in the midst of team success. With the trophy in hand, he thanked everyone around.
“It is an honor to receive this award. I would like to thank my mother, father and grandmother, who have always supported me. I would also like to thank my teammates, all the Barcelona staff, the Spain national team and my coaches Luis de la Fuente, Xavi Hernandez and Hansi Flick."
Last year the award was won by Real Madrid's Jude Bellingham. Paris magazine France Football began awarding the award in 2018 - with Kylian Mbappe and Matisse de Licht winning the first two years.
Yamal was also on the short list for this year's best footballer. He finished eighth in the voting. His national team teammate midfielder Rodri won the award for the first time.
However, with the pace and consistency Yamal has been progressing and the incredible pace at which he is rising to the top, he may very soon see the most coveted prize, the Ballon d'Or, in his hands. Brazil's World Cup winner and one of the greatest strikers in history, Ronaldo won the first of his two Ballon d'Ors at the age of 21, in 1997.
“They told me (one day I can break Ronaldo's record) and to have a career like that would be wonderful. Hopefully, I can win it as soon as possible, that's every player's goal, but the most important thing is to enjoy myself (in football). If you can enjoy your game, everything will be better.
Yamal made his senior football debut for Barcelona in 2023 and quickly caught the eye. He played 50 matches for the club last season, winning the coach's trust with great performances; In addition to scoring seven goals, he also provided seven assists.
That performance made it to the Spain team of the Euro. After 2012, he scored four goals in all the seven matches on the way to make the country the continental champion for the first time. The moment he scored in the top corner from outside the box against France in the semi-final will surely hold a special place in his career.
Later it also won the best goal award of the season. In addition to being the best young player of the season, Yamal, the current football wonder, also made it to the best eleven of the season.
He has continued in the same vein this season, becoming even more formidable for opponents under new Barcelona coach Hansi Flick. He has scored six goals and seven assists in 14 matches in all competitions.
