Lamine Yamal “has to win the Ballon d’Or” following his “assertion” show towards France within the Nations League semi-final, in response to Spain head coach Luis de la Fuente.
The 17-year-old performed a starring function as La Roja booked their place in Sunday’s remaining towards Portugal, scoring twice in an exhilarating 5-4 victory over Les Bleus in Stuttgart.
Yamal is trying so as to add extra silverware to his assortment, having helped Barcelona to the LaLiga title final month, whereas scoring 18 objectives and offering 21 assists (together with a league-high 13 in LaLiga) throughout all competitions in 2024-25.
The winger can be being strongly tipped for vital particular person accolades, together with this 12 months’s Ballon d’Or, and De la Fuente believes he did his possibilities no hurt on Thursday.
“Lamine has made a press release and has to win the Ballon d’Or,” the Spain coach instructed RTVE.
“On the sector, there have been two of one of the best groups on this planet. The sport went in our favour.
“It’s not simple to attain 5 objectives towards an opponent. We took our possibilities very nicely. It reveals the excessive degree of the gamers.”
Nico Williams urged Yamal to proceed to “work with humility”, as he additionally tipped his fellow winger for the Ballon d’Or.
Nevertheless, {the teenager} is simply centered on regularly producing the products on the sector, somewhat than profitable awards.
“I all the time inform my mom, one of the best factor is to speak on the pitch,” he mentioned.
“France are an important crew who make you undergo, which is regular. However we’re very proud of the victory.”
Spain had led 5-1, however have been holding on in direction of the top after France decreased their deficit to a single purpose.
Nonetheless, the reigning Nations League champions will do battle with 2019 winners Portugal for the appropriate to change into the primary a number of victors of the match.
“We didn’t count on that [finish] once we have been 5-1 up,” Mikel Merino, who scored Spain’s second purpose, added.
“However within the elite, you possibly can’t take something with no consideration. We’re happy with this group. It’s one other remaining, and we’ll combat for one more title.”
