Lamine Yamal's sly dig at Dembele after Spain win: Best to talk on the pitch

India Today

20 hours ago

Spain's teenage sensation Lamine Yamal continues to let his football do the talking — and this time, the message was loud and clear. After powering Spain to a dramatic 5-4 win over France in the UEFA Nations League semi-final on June 6, the 17-year-old wonderkid appeared to take a cheeky swipe at fellow Ballon d'Or contender Ousmane Dembl.Yamal, who has become one of the frontrunners for the prestigious Ballon d'Or after a staggering 2024-25 campaign with FC Barcelona, bagged a brace in the high-octane clash and made his point — both on and off the pitch. While he had already stirred up anticipation ahead of the semi-final with bold pre-match comments, it was his post-match reflection that grabbed headlines. Without naming names, Yamal made it clear that he believes the pitch is the only place that really matters — a likely nod to Dembl's recent rise with PSG."I always say the same thing to mum, that I try to give my all. That is what motivates me and what gets me up in the morning. It is why I play football. It's always best to speak on the pitch. Dembele's a great player, we saw that in the Champions League, but I am happy that we're the ones in the final," he told RTVE after the match.advertisementThe Spain-France semi-final was more than just a Nations League fixture — it was a head-to-head between two of the season's most decorated attackers. Yamal, fresh off a treble-winning campaign with Barcelona — having clinched La Liga, Copa del Rey, and the Supercopa de Espana — also added Euro 2024 glory to his name with La Roja. On the other hand, Dembl had his own statement season, playing a starring role in Paris Saint-Germain's historic quadruple, which included their first-ever UEFA Champions League title, a dominant 5-0 win over Inter Milan in the final, as well as Ligue 1, Coupe de France, and the Trophe des Champions.
Statistically, Dembl might hold the club edge — finishing with 33 goals and 15 assists in 49 matches — while Yamal posted 18 goals and 25 assists across 55 appearances. But Yamal's national team success and his impact in the Nations League semi-final may just have tilted the Ballon d'Or narrative slightly in his favour.advertisementWith Spain's win, Yamal has booked a blockbuster final against Portugal — a showdown that pits the rising star against football royalty in Cristiano Ronaldo. France, despite mounting a spirited comeback from 0-4 down by the 55th minute, couldn't find the equaliser.As the Ballon d'Or ceremony approaches on September 22, and with nominations set to roll out in early August, the stage is set for a thrilling final chapter.