Spain midfielder wants to win the Nations League to help propel Barcelona duo for Ballon d’Or | OneFootball

Arsenal and Spain midfielder Mikel Merino has claimed that he hopes that one of Barcelona’s Lamine Yamal or Pedri go on to win the Ballon d’Or this year.

The former Real Sociedad ace even added that he wants to help the pair secure the Golden Orb by lifting the UEFA Nations League with Spain this month.

Pedri and Lamine Yamal were two of the best players in all of Europe this season, playing an integral part in Barcelona’s domestic treble triumph of La Liga, Copa del Rey, and Spanish Super Cup.

Former Barcelona winger Ousmane Dembele is also in the running for the top prize after having helped PSG win the treble, including the UEFA Champions League this past weekend.

In the running for Ballon d’Or. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)

As such, there has been talk about how the Nations League, where Spain face on France in the semi-finals this week, could become a factor in the Ballon d’Or race.

Speaking in an interview with EFE (h/t SPORT), Merino revealed his pick for the 2025 Ballon d’Or.

“I hope it goes to Lamine Yamal or Pedri,” he stated.

Continuing, the Spanish international added: “They are players we have in the national team who have had an incredible season. They haven’t won the Champions League but they have shown all year that they are at the level of the best.

“Hopefully we win the Nations League and it will give them a push, we also want to win it to give another title to the country and for personal ambition.”

Getting one over Dembele’s France and then winning the Nations League could further the cases of both Pedri and Lamine in the race for the Ballon d’Or.