Lamine Yamal becomes youngest-ever Ballon d’Or nominee following Euro 2024 heroics

Lamine Yamal of FC Barcelona has become the youngest ever player to be nominated for the coveted Ballon d'Or award.

Lamine Yamal becomes youngest-ever Ballon d’Or nominee following Euro 2024 heroics

Lamine Yamal has become the youngest player ever to be included in the Ballon d'Or shortlist! (Via FC Barcelona)

FC Barcelona star Lamine Yamal is truly on his way to become one of the best in the business. Aged just 17, the Spaniard has earned a spot in the list of 30 nominees for the 2024 Ballon d’Or. By doing so, the Euro 2024 winner became the youngest-ever to make it to the list of nominees. Yamal also claimed the Young Player of the Tournament award at the Euros.

Lamine Yamal is the ‘only’ Barcelona player to make it to the list of nominees, although latest signing Dani Olmo also claimed a spot. Even though the teenager doesn’t really have the stats to propel him to the podium, fans are delighted that the prodigy is living up to his expectations.

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Yamal had five goals and seven assists in 37 La Liga appearances last season. At the Euros for Spain, Yamal scored once while setting up his teammates on four separate occasions.

Even though his inclusion in the nominee list was welcomed with praise on social media, Real Madrid fans argued that Rodrygo Goes deserved to be included over the Spaniard. Despite being part of the squad that won La Liga and the Champions League, the Brazilian was left out of the final 30.

Lamine Yamal set to continue Barcelona’s dominance in the Kopa Trophy

After Kylian Mbappe, Jude Bellingham and Pedri, it is time for yet another Kopa Trophy to be handed out. Be it Lamine Yamal, Alejandro Garnacho or Kobbie Mainoo, the footballing community can be pleased at the number of young players that have assumed crucial roles across top clubs in Europe. Even though Yamal is the obvious favorite to claim the trophy, Garnacho and Mainoo have been nothing short of impressive at Manchester United.

Lamine Yamal's Goal vs France
Lamine Yamal is the frontrunner to win the 2024 Kopa Trophy (Via X/@UEFAEuro2024 & FabrizioRomano)

While Garnacho was part of the squad that won the 2024 Copa America, Mainoo impressed in midfield at the Euros. Pau Cubarsi also makes the shortlist after an impressive season with Barcelona and with La Roja at the Paris Olympics. Joao Neves and Warren Zaire-Emery of Paris Saint-Germain also deserve a mention for the season that they had.

Yamal has the opportunity to become the third Barcelona player in the last four years to have won the award. Previously, teammates Pedri and Gavi both have been awarded the same in 2021 and 2022 respectively. After enduring a trophyless season, Yamal’s chances of winning the Ballon d’Or are near zero. However, the Kopa Trophy is a an opportunity for the 17-year-old to be crowned as the best player under 21.

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