Lamine Yamal claimed the Kopa Trophy for a second consecutive year on Monday night in Paris. But the Barcelona teenager missed out on the main prize at the 2025 Ballon d’Or ceremony.
The 18-year-old winger made history by becoming the first player to win back-to-back Kopa Trophies. It is awarded to the best young player in the world.
Yamal also finished second in the overall Ballon d’Or vote. It is a rare feat for a player of his age.
Paris Saint-Germain forward Ousmane Dembele was named Ballon d’Or winner on the night. And, Barcelona’s Aitana Bonmati took home the women’s award.
Despite Yamal winning the the Kopa Trophy and securing the second spot in the Ballon d’Or ranking, his father, Mounir Nasraoui, voiced his frustration over the final result.
Speaking to El Chiringuito after the gala, Nasraoui said:
“I think it’s the biggest… I’m not going to say robbery but mental suffering done to a human being. I think Lamine Yamal is the best player in the world by far, by a huge margin. Not because he’s my son, but because he’s the best player in the world. I don’t think there are any rivals.”
Nasraoui also suggested that the Ballon d’Or voting process was questionable. He hinted that something unusual may have influenced the final outcome.
“Lamine is Lamine Yamal. We have to say that something very strange has happened here.
Next year the Ballon d’Or will be Spanish.”
Lamine Yamal congratulated Dembele after the ceremony. He appeared composed despite the decision.
The teenager will be a leading contender again next year. And the 2026 World Cup is likely to play a major role in the voting.
💣 EL PADRE DE LAMINE, EN EXCLUSIVA con @elchiringuitotv:
❌ “Ha pasado algo muy raro, es el MAYOR DAÑO MORAL a un SER HUMANO”.
🔝 “Lamine es el mejor del mundo con mucha diferencia”. pic.twitter.com/xfxCEWMt9E
— El Chiringuito TV (@elchiringuitotv) September 22, 2025
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