Xavi: “Yamal will win the Ballon d’Or when he wins the Champions League or the World Cup”
Barça legend and keen observer of the game, Xavi Hernandez sees Lamine Yamal as the future Ballon d’Or. But for the Catalan coach, the young prodigy must first triumph in the Champions League or on the world stage before lifting the prestigious trophy.
Lamine Yamal, attaquant du Barça@google
The former FC Barcelona coach, Xavi Hernandez, believes Lamine Yamal will have to add a major collective title to his record – the Champions League or the World Cup – to have a chance of winning the Ballon d’Or in the near future.
In an interview with Marca, relayed by Barça Universal, the Spanish coach reflected on the latest edition of the award, where Yamal finished second behind Ousmane Dembélé. According to him, this year team honours carried more weight.
“This time, titles carried more weight. For me, of course, Lamine deserved it,” Xavi said. “Vitinha, Salah, Pedri or Raphinha could also have been in contention for the trophy. Many deserved it, but in the end, it’s titles that make the difference. Lamine will win it, I’m convinced — the day his team wins the Champions League or the World Cup.“