After Lamine Yamal’s statement performance in the semifinal against France, the youngster is set to face Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal in the final of the Nations League. The final is set to take place in Bayern Munich’s Allianz Arena on Saturday night. After grabbing two goals against France, Lamine Yamal has the chance to make history against France and get ahead of Dembele in the Ballon d’Or race.
The Legend vs the Prodigy
Cristiano Ronaldo is 40 years old and still performing for Portugal at the highest level. CR7 scored the winning goal against Germany in the semifinal and will be hoping to get his 2nd Nations League title on Saturday. The Portuguese is currently the top scorer of the tournament and will most likely be till the end. Cristiano had some praising words for Lamine Yamal during a press conference. Ronaldo: “The kid is doing very, very well. His club and the national team are helping him a lot. He’s in a favourable environment.”
Cristiano Ronaldo continues on Lamine Yamal: “Let the kid grow, for the good of football. Let him grow calmly and take the pressure off. You can help by leaving him alone, because he’s not lacking in talent.”
Ronaldo emphasised protecting the prodigious kid for the good of football, but pressure only seems to fuel Lamine Yamal.
Lamine Yamal’s statement performance vs France
After the Champions League final, where PSG swept away with a victory against Inter Milan, Dembele was ahead in the Ballon d’Or race. However, the clash with Lamine Yamal in the semifinal of the Nations League and the result have had a significant impact on the rankings. Lamine Yamal, when asked about the match affecting the Ballon d’Or race, said: “Who do you vote for: the best player this season or whoever wins the game on Thursday? For me, it’s the best player across the whole year” When urged by the interviewer that the outcome on Thursday can affect the Ballon d’Or race, the youngster said: “For me, it’s based on the whole year, but if people want to put it all on Thursday, then let’s play.”
Lamine Yamal went on to display a statement performance as his comparison Desire Doue and his rival Dembele left the pitch without a goal contribution and with defeat. The youngster said after the match that “it is always best to speak on the pitch” and “If they wanted to decide the Ballon d’Or based on this match, I was ready”
What the final means for the Ballon d’Or race
In my opinion, winning the final against Cristiano Ronaldo with a goal contribution will certainly guarantee Yamal the Ballon d’Or. Dembele doesn’t have a case as strong as Lamine’s, even with the Champions League title. Raphinha had better numbers than him, and Yamal performed in more important games. Recency bias is, unfortunately, a reality when it comes to deciding the Ballon d’Or winner. After Cristiano lifts the Nations League trophy, Lamine Yamal will have a lot more votes than Dembele. It is also worth noticing that Lamine Yamal is more aesthetically pleasing to the eye and keeps you on the edge of your seat every time he is on the ball. All these factors will win Lamine Yamal the Ballon d’Or, which will make him the youngest player ever to win the award.
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