London left a message: in the Ballon d'Or the campaigns were of no use. Harry Kane's low profile prevailed at the France Football gala, held for the first time in London. But the Englishman, also awarded as best striker of the season, was not the only one who remained discreet when it came to promoting his candidacy. There were other winners who didn't say a word. There are few better examples than the other great protagonist of the night, Alexia Putellas. The footballer, today in the London City Lionesses, was the last toast on a night in which the Spanish delegation that did not stop getting on the stage of the London Palladium. Of the 13 prizes that were awarded, eight went to Spain. Lamine Yamal was left wanting. Just the one who wanted it the most.
Raised in a football industry dedicated to marketing, Lamine Yamal longed for the Ballon d'Or. He did so the first time he attended the gala, in 2024, after Europe surrendered to his talent in the Euro Cup. And also last year in Paris, when he came second in the voting: 1,380 points for Dembélé and 1,059 for him. This time, waiting for France Football to publish the votes, he dropped one place: he was third, behind Kane and Mbappé.
It was precisely Mbappé and Lamine who were most lavished in the press before the voting closed. The Frenchman struck first. Or tried. As soon as he returned from vacation after the World Cup that crowned him the top scorer in the history of the competition (22 goals), he came out to claim France Football's grand prize of the night. There was a round of interviews and even the promise to dedicate the award to Africa. Too much, even for Lamine Yamal. They say in the Spanish Federation that, when Barcelona's number 10 heard Mbappé, he did not want to campaign anymore. “It seems like he's asking for it,” an uncomfortable Lamine confessed.
Lamine is going through a contradiction with the Ballon d'Or. On the one hand, he longs for it. On the other hand, when he shows his most vulnerable side, he assures that he would like to win the Ballon d'Or, but that there is something he likes more: "When a child watches a video with my plays on YouTube." In reality, it is the same thing he did with the videos of his idol, Neymar.
There is no shortage of children in the world who admire Lamine's self-confidence and, above all, his football. But he still needs to conquer the adult world, which still sees him as a young man: he won the Kopa Trophy for the third consecutive year, which rewards the best young player of the season (under 21 years of age). No one but him had won it even twice. Vicky López, this year, emulated part of his feat: he took his second in a row. “Is that the one you wanted today?” Thierry Henry, presenter of the gala, asked him with some sarcasm. "I would like Cubarsi to be there. This award had to go to him," Lamine responded, more resigned than vindictive.
Lamine was sure that he would win the Ballon d'Or. Until last week he had doubts: France Football informed Barcelona that Lamine would win the Kopa again. "Why don't they change his name now and call him Lamine Yamal? If he continues like this, he will always win it until he turns 21," joked a Barça manager this Monday in London.
Lamine, however, did not lose hope. He arrived at the gala smiling and left chewing anger, but without a bad face. He hugged Kane when he was crowned the best. The one who was overwhelmed was Alexia Putellas. And he was waiting for the prize. He took his physical trainer and his physiotherapist to London, two key people in his recovery. He was at the peak of his career, about to play in the European Championship in England, when he tore the cruciate ligament in his left knee. A via crucis with a happy ending: again in England, and after winning everything with Barcelona and the Nations League with Spain, she recovered the scepter of women's football and took over from her partner, at times rival, Aitana Bonmatí.
Spain has six consecutive women's Ballon d'Or awards. But not only does it dominate in the women's team: it has the two current world champion teams. The men's team was crowned in the United States, and the women's team will defend the title next summer in Brazil. The France Football gala recognized it. In addition to Putellas as the best of all and Lamine and Vicky López as the best young players, Spain added the two best goalkeepers (Cata Coll and Unai Simón), the two best coaches (Pere Romeu and Luis de la Fuente) and the best women's team: Barcelona, the last Champions League champion.
“A pride to be from Barça and, as president of Barça, grateful for the recognition,” stressed Joan Laporta. Of the eight awards in Spain, five went to the Catalan club, and six if we take into account that Putellas was awarded for last season, when he was still wearing Barça. "It has been a resounding success. We must also congratulate the clubs, who have also done their job. Even the federations, who were also from the bottom. It is a success for all of Spanish football. I think [Luis de la Fuente] had it very well deserved. Also Alexia, Unai... There are so many that it is very difficult to remember all the awards tonight. It is a blessing that Spain reaps today in the London capital what it has sown," added Rafael Louzán, president of the Federation Spanish.
Lamine and Mbappé were left wanting at a party where Alexia and Kane celebrated. And in which he celebrated, above all, Spanish football.
