Luis de la Fuente has predicted that Lamine Yamal will win the Ballon d’Or following his impressive performance in Spain’s UEFA Nations League victory against France.

In a thrilling display of talent, Spain manager Luis de la Fuente has backed young sensation Lamine Yamal to become a “football legend” following his remarkable performance in the UEFA Nations League semi-final against France. The 17-year-old forward played a pivotal role in Spain’s nail-biting 5-4 victory, which not only secured a place in the final against Portugal but also positioned him as a frontrunner for the prestigious Ballon d’Or.

Yamal’s two goals in the match were crucial, and should he clinch the Ballon d’Or, he would break the record for the youngest recipient of the award, previously held by Brazil’s Ronaldo, who won it at the age of 21 in 1997. The anticipation surrounding Yamal has been palpable, especially in the lead-up to the match, where much of the spotlight was shared with French forward Ousmane Dembele, another contender for the coveted trophy.

De la Fuente praised Yamal’s performance, stating, “Lamine Yamal has made a statement tonight and shown that he should win the Ballon d’Or. He’s the best player in the world and, in my opinion, of course, he deserves to win the Ballon d’Or.” The manager highlighted the significance of scoring five goals against a formidable opponent like France, emphasizing the high level of play exhibited by his team.

Yamal’s contributions were not just limited to his goals; he demonstrated a maturity beyond his years. After the match, he reflected on his motivation, saying, “I always say the same thing to my mum, that I try to give my all. That is what motivates me and what gets me up in the morning. It is why I play football. It’s always best to speak on the pitch.”

When asked about his rivalry with Dembele, Yamal acknowledged the Frenchman’s talent but expressed his satisfaction in leading his team to the final. “Dembele’s a great player, we saw that in the UEFA Champions League, but I am happy that we’re the ones in the final,” he remarked.

Rafael Louzan, president of the Spanish Football Federation, also weighed in on Yamal’s meteoric rise, stating, “It’s not just the two goals, it’s everything he does. Everything he does surprises you again and again. He still has a long way to go, too, and I hope they give him the prize he deserves, the Ballon d’Or.”

Despite the mounting pressure and expectations surrounding him, Yamal remains focused on the team’s objectives. He acknowledged the challenge that Portugal will present in the final, noting, “It will be an even final against Portugal, just like this game. They have world-class players like France. It’s a game between two really good sides and I hope the best team wins and we take the trophy back to Spain.”