Gerard Pique says he would like Lamine Yamal to win the Ballon d'Or, labelling the youngster as "special".
Yamal and Ousmane Dembele are among the favourites to lift the accolade this year after stellar campaigns for Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain, respectively.
Barca won the LaLiga title, the Copa del Rey and the Supercopa de Espana this term, with Yamal registering 18 goals and 21 assists in all competitions. Only Raphinha (27) bettered the latter figure across the squad.
Remarkably, Yamal led the charts in LaLiga for assists (13), shots from outside the area (67), big chances created (28), shots following a carry (56), chances created following a carry (35), throughballs (33) and dribbles completed (161) in 2024-25.
Meanwhile, Dembele was part of PSG's treble-winning team, playing a key role in their maiden Champions League triumph, setting up two of their five goals in the record-breaking win over Inter.
The Frenchman scored 33 goals and provided 13 assists for PSG in 2024-25. Among all players from Europe's top five leagues, only Mohamed Salah (57), Raphinha (56), Harry Kane (49) and Kylian Mbappe (48) bettered Dembele's 46 total goal involvements.
He registered 14 of those goal involvements in the Champions League, scoring eight and assisting six. That is the second-most goal contributions by a French player in a single edition of the competition, after Karim Benzema in 2021-22 (17).
Pique shared a dressing room with Dembele during his time at Barcelona, while he was also at the club while Yamal was coming up through the academy.
But the former defender believes the 17-year-old will be the one getting his hands on the trophy.
"I had the opportunity to share a dressing room with Ousmane and Lamine Yamal. They're both incredible people," he told Sport.es.
"Ousmane was like a brother, but Lamine is special.
"I would prefer Lamine Yamal to win because he's at Barcelona and also involved in the King's League [a seven-a-side tournament founded by Pique]. He has a team, so I would like him to win.
"But I also really like Ousmane, and if he wins, I'll be happy for him."
Pique also heaped praise on his former coach, Luis Enrique, who became only the second manager to win a treble with a European club on two different occasions, after Pep Guardiola.
Luis Enrique led PSG to the biggest Champions League final victory in the history of the competition, and Pique was delighted to see his success.
"I know him very well," he added. "He's fantastic. You've only recently started getting to know him, but he’s a true leader.
"And he always shows it. Since Mbappe left, they've become a team, playing some of the best football in the world."
Sanisadiqallfootball
0
is this correct 💯
[image]
gavi for CB ?
Bapo
0
But what happen to Raphinha? is better than Yamal.Champions league goalscorer in and when we talk about performance,Raphinha is better than both Dembele and Yamal.
Cause he is 17 years old😝
/MADRIDISTA
0
Lamine yamal deserved the ballon d'Or
😂😂😂😂😂
yesepruyz
1
my name is Marvin
sbob47328
1
But what happen to Raphinha? is better than Yamal.Champions league goalscorer in and when we talk about performance,Raphinha is better than both Dembele and Yamal.
Amazing is he now the goat of Barca
Culioss
0
But what happen to Raphinha? is better than Yamal.Champions league goalscorer in and when we talk about performance,Raphinha is better than both Dembele and Yamal.
AB_Muhammad
0
since mbappe left right?
Runcmnuyz
0
Lamine yamal deserved the ballon d'Or
He deserves Jbl D’or
Runcmnuyz
0
Pique, yamel and fabrizio are part of same media/tiktok company 🤣🤣
DrHalaMsdrid
0
Some needs to call the police 👮♀️ A boy who scored 9 goals in LA LIGA want to win BALLON D’OR 😂 The funny part is that …. Even LEGEND like GERARD PIQUE can’t seem to notice his argument is FLAWED. I used to regard pique oooo Until recently I realise the guy no really get cerebral emispshere
Laubcosty
1
is this correct 💯
poyakmuy
1
Next one i guess cos dembele owns this
wehdiklmnr
2
You’re disgracing the Bollon dor by mentioning yamal’s name
jowacklpyz
4
raphinha is the mvp of barca..how could he not deserve more than yamal..oh wait he is not from Spain I forgot..smffbara
jowacklpyz
1
keep beating ur a$$ u barca fun..should be in ur face to punch the life out of u ..wake up u incompetent fool..stop dreaming
feyeinopry
2
your fucking hypocrite bro you said not because yamal have one good season that don't mean he should win Ballon d or but your saying dembele should win it bcz he had only one good season .....in 2023/2024 yamal won golden boy award ✨️ and a 16 year old ....consistent for his club throughout his career and also his national team ......where is dembele against Spain....
Kedanruz
0
stupesss. talk about tryna be relevant. he knows as well as every one else that dembele will win it & deservedly so. yamal had a great season but barca only won domestically. they're still 🏆less in Europe so htf can any serious person chose yamal over dembele just based on merit & given how yamal was made to look ordinary vs Portugal?
Vipaempt
1
guys stop fake talks who deserves ballon d' or,
WisdomCarter123
0
Lamine yamal deserved the ballon d'Or
lol he deserved
Allez_
0
Lamine yamal deserved the ballon d'Or
So Raphina is a ghost didn’t do anything?
jowacklpyz
5
raphina was the best Barca player last season ..mvp in la liga..most goes in champions ligue..more goal contributions for barca than yamal..he is brazillian and not Spanish so he is not getting recognition like he should..Fernando torrez aka el nino was with the same hype like yamal back then with Spain and the Spanish media..putting pressure and unnecessary load on these players and when they dont perform pressure builds and they collapse..everyone forget abt them as time goes by..where was yamal in the nations league final against Portugal..on the field right but was no where to be found ..having one great season doesn't mean ure consistent at the top level..it takes years n dedication like cr7 and messi..n I think dembelee deserve it more..was a great player at barca but injuries didn't show his worth..Enrique brought him along to psg and the rest is history
WisdomCarter123
2
Lamine yamal deserved the ballon d'Or
Fuhaeity
0
for what
cetdklmory
4
Sorry your Barcelona bias shows glaringly. Either Dembele or Vitinha should win it. If they don't, then it's daylight robbery like last year when they gave it to Rodri instead of Vinicius !
vewbcdeikl
0
I hope that the words coming from Pique are also amazing and healthy in terms of conditions for football legendary among players of Europe 🌍 golden 🙏🏾🥰🥰.
Rozadnopuz
2
u are following Barcelona not yamal.if not people did better than him.
Biydelmru
4
I think all Barcelona players deserves Ballon d'or. Give them one each or cut it into pieces or else don't won't stop crying.
natbcdsty
1
yamal takes the most shot in la liga n scored 9 goals dwl
Tipbeilpsz
1
it's no longer Raphinha. Barcelona are pathetic.
nu7uy6lohy6hio7Jonno mnhh
kahacdouyz
0
Why do you care as a Madrid fan !!! Bruhhh who ever Barca fans to put forward, they will. Focus on advocating for Mbappé. Barca is non of your f*cking business
Your logic is like 💩 poop
/MADRIDISTA
4
🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 Drunken master
Kebabclptz
2
2018
Nuzeilnors
2
pique 🤣
minabclst
0
what are you sore
Fuzabeikms
0
Lamin deserves alosy deserves be it
alexhunter64
0
it's no longer Raphinha. Barcelona are pathetic.
Why do you care as a Madrid fan !!! Bruhhh who ever Barca fans to put forward, they will. Focus on advocating for Mbappé. Barca is non of your f*cking business
yepeloprsz
0
Lamine Yamal 😎🤙
yepeloprsz
2
let's go Yamal
kahacdouyz
5
it's no longer Raphinha. Barcelona are pathetic.