Ballon d’Or: I thought I would win it – Yamal

Barcelona youngster Lamine Yamal admitted he thought he would win the 2025 Ballon d'Or but finished runner-up to Ousmane Dembélé. He said missing out helped him grow and praised Dembélé's positive influence. The 18-year-old remains confident for the future and expects to be a top contender for the 2026 Ballon d'Or, especially with the World Cup approaching.