'One of us will win it' – Yamal sees himself & Raphinha as Ballon d'Or favorites

Lamine Yamal believes he or team-mate Raphinha will win the 2025 Ballon d'Or, should Barcelona go on and win titles this season.

The pair have played starring roles for Hansi Flick's side, who are top of LaLiga on goal difference with a game in hand on second-place Real Madrid.

Barca are also through to the Champions League quarter-finals, as well as the semi-finals of the Copa del Rey.

Raphinha has worn the captain's armband on several occasions this season, and has led by example with 45 direct goal involvements in all competitions (27 goals, 18 assists), a tally only bettered by Mohamed Salah (54) among players in the big five European leagues.

Salah is also the only player across those divisions to register more assists (22) than Raphinha, who has created the second-most chances in all competitions among those players, with his 117 bettered by just Bruno Fernandes (120).

"I'm very happy for Raphinha, I always tell him his change has been incredible, and he's having a great time," Yamal told Diario Sport.

"We haven't talked about [the Ballon d'Or]. If we win the titles we have ahead of us, one of us will win it, whoever it is."

Yamal has also staked his claim with 29 goal contributions in all competitions (13 goals, 16 assists), as well as the most assists in LaLiga (11).

Nevertheless, the 17-year-old insists he does not have his sights set on individual accolades.

"The Ballon d'Or does not worry me. I go out to enjoy myself and not think about this," he added. 

"I want to enjoy and have a good time, play football, which is what I do best, and not think about these things."