Madrid, June 3, 2025– With just 17 years, Lamine Yamal not only dazzles on the pitch, but also demonstrates unusual maturity and security for her age. A few hours after the expected confrontation between France and Spain, the young FC Barcelona prodigy has made a statement that has lit the debate throughout the world of football:“If the Golden Ball must be decided, to be Thursday.”
The phrase, pronounced during a press conference prior to the semifinal of the international tournament, has been interpreted by many as a clear allusion to the duel between Kylian Mbappé, currently a favorite for the award, and he himself, who has had a brilliant season with both his club and with the Spanish team.
Yamal has been one of the great revelations of the year. With goals, assists and decisive performances, the young attacker has guided Spain to the semifinals, gaining praise of both fans and football legends. His meteoric irruption has led some experts to include their name among possible candidates for the Golden Ball, something unthinkable at the beginning of the season.
“We know what is at stake, but we are not afraid. If the world wants to see who deserves the Golden Ball, then see it on Thursday in the field.”, Yamal added with determination, referring to direct confrontation with France and its Mbappé star.
On the French side, there has not been an official response, although Kylian Mbappé is expected to make statements in the next few hours. The sports press already talks about the game as “the battle for the Golden Ball”, even more raising the tension of a clash that already promises to be historical.
The duel between France and Spain is emerging not only as a very high level semifinal, but as a possible turning point in the career of two generations: one consecrated and another that just begins, but that does not fear to challenge the present.
On Thursday, the stadium will witness more than a game: it will be a declaration of intentions, and perhaps, as Yamal says, the scenario in which the next golden ball is decided.
