Another action-packed season has come to an end, and most of football’s talk now centers on who will win this year’s Ballon d’Or. And La Liga president Javier Tebas has turned heads by declaring his two favourites for the accolade.
Following Paris Saint-Germain’s 5-0 victory against Inter Milan in the Champions League final, Ousmane Dembele appears to be a top contender for the trophy. In all competitions in 2024/25, he scored 33 goals and added 15 assists.
Lamine Yamal, too, must be considered, given how influential he has been in proceedings under Hansi Flick and his entourage since breaking into the first squad so easily. Barcelona’s domestic treble was led by the youthful phenomenon, aged 17.
Tebas names Shock as a Ballon d’Or contender with Yamal. ‘He hasn’t had a spectacular season, but he did quite well at the beginning.’
Tebas, who has not been hesitant to upset the applecart in the past, believes that a member of Real Madrid’s attacking ranks should be considered Barcelona’s principal competitor for the honor, which will be awarded at Paris’ Theatre du Chatelet.
That’s right, after a trophyless season for Los Blancos, who are currently managed by Xabi Alonso, the La Liga president believes Vinicius Jr has a chance to beat one of international football’s greatest adolescents to the accolade in early September. He said:
“It should be between Lamine Yamal and Vinicius Jr.”
When asked why Vinicius, who had 39 goal involvements (21 goals and 18 assists) in 52 appearances, was in the running for international football’s most prestigious individual honor despite a rather bad season, he replied:
“He hasn’t had a great season, but he did extremely well in the beginning. I believe the Ballon d’Or represents a season’s worth of achievement. He still has a couple international matches and the Club World Cup to play before the season concludes, but I’d point out those two La Liga players. There are so many Spanish players in the Spanish national team’s match against France, which is incredible!”
Vini Jr, widely considered as one of the best dribblers in international football, was entangled in a Ballon d’Or controversy last year when the Brazilian and his colleagues declined to attend after learning that Manchester City’s Rodri would win.
The Spaniard did, and no one from the La Liga giants was present – but Tebas believes he has a second chance at success this season. Fans have responded to his statements. “Does he watch football outside of Spain?” one asked.
Another was perplexed that Tebas, who clearly wanted to keep Real Madrid happy by selecting one of their players, did not consider last summer’s headline signing, Kylian Mbappe, as a prospective contender despite the Frenchman’s quietly superb debut season.
“I understand he wanted to say a Real Madrid player but surely should’ve said Mbappe at least?”
“I would be surprised if that guy is in the top 10 this season,” another said, before a fourth wrote, “This is the most delusional president in the world.” In complete surprise at Tebas’ decision to identify the tricky winger, one final fan concluded: “Lamine Yamal and WHO????”
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