According to reports, few players deserved to be eliminated from the UEFA Champions League as little as Yamal. The 17-year-old delivered outstanding performances in both matches against Inter Milan, but Yann Sommer’s incredible saves prevented him from reaching his first European final. Even some of his rivals praised Barcelona’s No. 19 on social media after Inter secured their place in Munich.

The result in Milan has reduced Lamine’s chances of winning the Ballon d’Or, as he can no longer claim the Champions League title. Another setback was Paris Saint-Germain’s advancement to the final, making Ousmane Dembélé the frontrunner for the award.

This young star still has two major opportunities to earn points in the Ballon d’Or race: the upcoming El Clásico against Real Madrid and the UEFA Nations League final this summer. These two events could add more honors to his resume and bring his season tally to four titles.

Yamal, the El Clásico Specialist

Yamal has delivered his best performances against Real Madrid. He scored a spectacular goal in the 4-0 victory at the Bernabéu, equalized in the Super Cup after Kylian Mbappé’s goal, and turned the Copa del Rey final in his team’s favor with two assists. This season, he has secured three wins and two titles in three matches against Real, proving he has found the formula to defeat them.

Barcelona is not far from the title. A win or even a draw against Real Madrid could almost guarantee the La Liga trophy with just three matches remaining. Additionally, they would ensure Real Madrid fails to win any of the three major trophies this season, effectively eliminating contenders like Mbappé and Vinícius Júnior from the Ballon d’Or race.

A Second Trophy with the National Team?

The Spain national team will face France in the UEFA Nations League semifinal on June 5th. After defeating the Netherlands with an outstanding performance from Lamine Yamal, they reached the final four. Now, they are just two matches away from a second consecutive title in the competition.

International tournaments have always been crucial for the Ballon d’Or. Although the Nations League lacks the prestige of other competitions, winning a trophy always boosts a player’s chances. Yamal will lead Spain in Germany this summer, hoping to secure another title, just as he did last year in the European Championship.

Yamal’s Main Rivals

Currently, Ousmane Dembélé is the undisputed favorite for the prestigious Ballon d’Or. The former Barcelona player is one step away from a treble with Paris Saint-Germain and is the top scorer of 2025. After Kylian Mbappé’s departure, Luis Enrique decided to use him as a striker, and Dembélé surprised everyone with his newly discovered talent, scoring 33 goals.

However, if PSG fails to win the Champions League, it is unlikely Dembélé will win the Ballon d’Or, as Ligue 1 is not at the same level as La Liga or the Premier League. In that case, if Inter Milan wins, Lautaro Martínez will be their main contender.

The Argentine striker has had an incredible scoring record this season: 22 goals in all competitions, including a crucial goal against Barcelona in the Champions League semifinal. However, Martínez faces an obstacle: Serie A is a tough competition, and Inter was eliminated from the Coppa Italia by AC Milan.