Lamine Yamal Says Spain-France Nations League Not Ballon d'Or Decider

Barcelona striker Lamine Yamal has stated that the Ballon d'Or award should be based on performance throughout the entire year rather than the outcome of the UEFA Nations League semifinal between Spain and France. Yamal, 17, and France's Ousmane Dembele, who have both had outstanding seasons for club and country, are considered strong contenders for the prestigious award. Despite the high stakes of the match in Stuttgart, Yamal emphasized that the award should recognize the best player over the whole season, not just one game. Dembele has achieved a treble with Paris Saint-Germain, including the Champions League, while Yamal won a domestic treble with Barcelona. The Ballon d'Or nominees will be announced in early August, with the ceremony scheduled for September 22. Yamal also expressed his focus on winning team titles like the Champions League and World Cup rather than individual accolades.