Former Ballon d’Or recipient Jean-Pierre Papin has thrown his support behind Barcelona sensation Lamine Yamal as the most deserving candidate for the 2025 edition of the prestigious award.
The ex-Bayern Munich and AC Milan forward notably excluded his fellow Frenchmen, Ousmane Dembele and Kylian Mbappe, from his top pick despite their strong campaigns.
Yamal delivered a standout season for Barcelona, playing a pivotal role in the club’s domestic treble triumph. The teenage forward registered an impressive tally of 18 goals and 25 assists across 55 appearances in all competitions.
Papin, speaking to SPORT, said: “Lamine Yamal deserves to win the Golden Ball this year. For me Yamal was the best and had an exceptional season.”
The Barcelona starlet is among the contenders in the 30-man shortlist released by France Football, with other notable names including Dembele, Mbappe, Vitinha, and several others vying for the honor.
If successful, Yamal will become the seventh Barcelona player to win the Ballon d’Or, and the first since Lionel Messi last claimed the award in 2019. The winner is scheduled to be announced on September 22.
