The Ballon d’Or is football’s most prestigious individual award, and the rules of the game are clear: voters weigh individual brilliance, team trophies, and season-long consistency. In recent years, the winners ticked all three boxes – Lionel Messi with the World Cup in 2022, Karim Benzema after conquering Europe with Real Madrid the year before.
This year, much of the noise has centred on two players: PSG’s stars Achraf Hakimi and his team-mate Ousmane Dembele, who have been flying at Paris Saint-Germain. Yamal dazzled with his maturity and flair, turning 18 in July but already deciding big games. Dembele, meanwhile, delivered perhaps the most complete season of his career. Achraf Hakimi, on the other hand, broke all records as a right back.
So why is the prodigy unlikely to lift the Golden Orb?
No Champions League or Nations League titles
Champions League triumphs often swing the vote, and Yamal fell just short. Barcelona reached the semi-finals, but the youngster left empty-handed. On the international front, Spain were beaten by Portugal in the Nations League final – another big stage where he couldn’t secure silverware.
Hakimi & Dembele edge in trophies and stats
Trophies remain the currency of the Ballon d’Or. Yamal collected La Liga and the Copa del Rey, but Hakimi and Dembele matched him with Ligue 1 and the Coupe de France — then went further in the Champions League. The numbers tell their own story: Dembele finished with 35 goals and 16 assists, Hakimi with 27 goal contributions as a defender, compared to Yamal’s 18 goals and 25 assists.
No Club World Cup stage
It may not have the glamour of a Champions League final, but the FIFA Club World Cup puts players in the global shop window. Dembele and Hakimi reached the final, giving them another high-profile stage. Barcelona weren’t involved, leaving Yamal without that platform.
Final word
Lamine Yamal is undoubtedly the future. At 18, he already plays with the poise of a seasoned star and has lit up La Liga. His time will come — but in the ruthless world of Ballon d’Or voting, this year the margins tilt towards Dembele and Hakimi.
