Former Ballon d’Or winner throws his weight behind Barcelona jewel for top prize | OneFootball

Lionel Messi’s departure left a feeling that it would be a long time before Barcelona had a genuine Ballon d’Or contender once more, but it has not taken much time in reality.

After the team’s impressive run over the past year, Raphinha, Lamine Yamal and Pedri are all spoken of as candidates for the award.

In recent weeks, however, the youngest of the three has emerged as a clear frontrunner.

There is indeed competition from the likes of Ousmane Dembele who may win the UEFA Champions League tonight, Mohammed Salah who has been in fine form and Kylian Mbappe who has been in red-hot scoring form. Yet, Yamal stands out.

Dutch legend backs Yamal

Speaking to the media ahead of tonight’s UEFA Champions League final between Inter Milan and PSG, Dutch legend Ruud Gullit was asked to give his pick for the Ballon d’Or, especially with the biggest game of the season unfolding later in the day.

The former Ballon d’Or winner, however, did not hesitate in stating that the winner of the award this year may well be someone not in the final and went on to join the Lamine Yamal bandwagon.

Ballon d’Or for Lamine? (Photo by Florencia Tan Jun/Getty Images)

“The hardest part is that usually the Ballon d’Or comes out of the Champions League final, but this time it could be different,” he began via Mundo Deportivo.

“What we saw of Lamine Yamal was incredible, ridiculous. It could be that they vote for him because they have a good eye and he is a good person,” he added, giving his pick.

The Dutchman then went on to elaborate on why the teenager has a great chance of winning the award this season after all he has done for Barcelona and Spain.

“It’s not just about winning and what you do on the field, but also how you present yourself. Yamal has a little more than those who will be on the field,” he concluded.

Yamal and Ousmane Dembele, his biggest competitor for the award, will face off in the UEFA Nations League semifinal early next month. The result of that game and their performances, needless to say, may well decide the battle.