The Challenges Facing Lamine Yamal in the Race for the Ballon d'Or
5 Reasons why Lamine Yamal Cannot win the Ballon d'Or Yet 🔗
00:00 Introduction
Lamine Yamal is a remarkable talent in football, often compared to legends like Messi and Mbappe, but several factors may prevent him from winning the Ballon d'Or this year.
00:30 Age Factor
- No teenager has ever won the Ballon d'Or since its inception 69 years ago.
- Previous teenage sensations like Messi and Mbappe also did not secure the award at a young age.
- Age bias may influence voters, as seen with Yamal's recognition at the Euros.
01:15 Competition from Peers
- Former Barcelona player Ousmane Dembélé could overshadow Yamal if he leads PSG to significant victories.
- Dembélé's potential success could make it hard to argue against him for the award.
02:00 Club World Cup Absence
- Barcelona's failure to qualify for the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup limits Yamal's exposure to voters.
- Competitors like PSG and Real Madrid will have opportunities to impress at the event.
02:45 Recency Bias
- Past performances could be forgotten if other players excel in upcoming tournaments, like the Champions League final.
- Voters tend to favor recent achievements, which could work against Yamal.
03:30 Split Votes
- Multiple Barcelona players, including Yamal, Rafinha, and Pedri, may split votes, allowing a single candidate from another club to win.
- This scenario was previously seen with Real Madrid's players, causing a divided vote.
What is the main reason Lamine Yamal might not win the Ballon d'Or this year?
The primary reason is that no teenager has ever won the award, and voters may have an age bias against young players.
How could the Club World Cup impact Yamal's chances?
Since Barcelona did not qualify, Yamal misses an important opportunity to showcase his talent to voters, while other contenders will compete there.
Why is recency bias a concern for Yamal?
If other players perform well in key tournaments after Yamal's achievements, voters may forget his past successes, impacting his chances for the Ballon d'Or.