The Ballon d'Or prize from 2025 could go to Barcelona later this year, but after last weekend the chances of this happened after Ousmane Dembele, formerly from the Catalans, helped to win Paris Saint-Germain for the first time in their history.
Many now see Dembele as the favorite to win the prize for Lamine Yamal. But as former France -defender Mikael Silvestre Voetbal España has told, in collaboration with Esports Insider, he believes that the events of this summer can be the decisive factor.
“I think the Ballon d'Or race is still open. The Nations League and Club World Cup will be important factors that are some in the battle between Lamine Yamal and Dembele. At the moment it is very difficult to predict who will be at the top. They are very similar this season, so it is very close who will win.”
Silvestre also spoke about Lamine Yamal in the context of the semi-final collision on Thursday of the UEFA Nations League between Spain and France. The 40 times covered defender made it clear that the 17-year-old should be stopped for Les Bleus to have the chance to reach the final of this weekend against Portugal.
“Lamine is getting better and better. He was already very mature in the euros, and after another full season in Barcelona he has reached another level. France has to double him, but even that may not be enough to stop him. In the end the 1v1 battle between him and Theo Hernandez will be crucial.
“France received a football lesson during the last meeting at Euro 2024. Spain checked the game – especially in midfield – and we couldn't get close. They did not dominate. I don't think our players were bad, but it was that Spain moved the ball better and faster, and they were not overburdened in the middle yet.”
Silvestre also spoke about the first season of Countryman Kylian Mbappe in Real Madrid, in which he saw the campaign end as the winner of the European Golden Boot.
“Kylian had a slow start at Real Madrid, which is to be expected, since he adapted to a new competition and a new club. He would have been frustrated, but after finding his rhythm he came in the best form he has shown since the 2022 world cup.