At just 17 years old, Lamine Yamal is already being touted as the leading candidate to win the 2025 Ballon d'Or, according to the latest power ranking released by Score90. The FC Barcelona wonderkid sits atop the list, ahead of global stars like Ousmane Dembélé, Raphinha, Pedri, and Mohamed Salah, highlighting his incredible impact both in LaLiga and across European competitions.

“Lamine Deserves the Ballon d'Or,” Says Jorge Mendes

One of the first voices to publicly back the youngster was his agent, Jorge Mendes, who did not mince words in an interview with Fabrizio Romano:

“Lamine deserves to win the Ballon d'Or. He has been the best player in the world this season. That is very clear.”

Mendes, who famously managed Cristiano Ronaldo during his peak years, understands the ins and outs of the Ballon d'Or voting process. He believes Yamal’s breakout season, paired with his decisive performances on the biggest stages, makes him a strong contender for football’s most prestigious individual award.

A Teenage Phenomenon Taking Over European Football

According to the May 2025 Score90 Ballon d'Or ranking, the current top five are:

1. Lamine Yamal (Barcelona)
2. Ousmane Dembélé (PSG)
3. Raphinha (Barcelona)
4. Pedri (Barcelona)
5. Mohamed Salah (Liverpool)

This Barcelona-heavy top five reflects not only the team’s collective form but also the standout individual campaigns from Yamal and his teammates.

Spanish outlet Diario Sport reports that, despite his age, Yamal could attract a significant number of votes due to his electrifying playing style and decisive contributions in key matches.

Should he claim the honor, Lamine Yamal would not only become the youngest Ballon d'Or winner in history — he would also signal the dawn of a new footballing era led by the next generation of stars.