Barcelona star Lamine Yamal is among the nominees for the 2025 Ballon d’Or following an exceptional season with both club and country. This marks his second consecutive year being nominated, having first made the shortlist at just 17 years old. As he is often compared to Lionel Messi, we take a look back on the Argentine’s first nomination.
Messi received his first Ballon d’Or nomination in 2007, when he was 20. That year, the Argentine star finished third behind Kaka and Cristiano Ronaldo. In 2008, he came second, just behind the Portuguese forward.
Messi finally won his first Ballon d’Or in 2009 at the age of 22. He then went on to dominate the award, winning four straight times through 2012, surpassing Michel Platini’s previous record of three.
Meanwhile, last year Yamal became the youngest player ever to be nominated for the award, breaking Kylian Mbappe’s previous record. He also won the Kopa Trophy, awarded to the best performing player in the world under the age of 21. He is once again in the running for that prize this year.
Known for shattering age-related milestones, Yamal could become the youngest Ballon d’Or winner in history, surpassing Ronaldo Nazario, who claimed the award in 1997 at the age of 21.
Lamine Yamal’s outstanding 2024–25 Season
This past season, Yamal established himself as one of FC Barcelona’s key players. He played a pivotal role in helping the club secure a domestic treble—winning La Liga, the Copa del Rey, and the Spanish Super Cup.
For Barcelona, he scored 18 goals and delivered 25 assists across all competitions. He also contributed to Spain’s UEFA Nations League campaign, scoring three goals en route to the final.