Spain v France not a Ballon d'Or decider, says Yamal
Spain's Barcelona striker Lamine Yamal has said the Ballon d'Or award will not be decided by performances on Thursday, when he and France's Paris Saint-Germain forward Ousmane Dembélé take part in the Nations League Final Four.
Spain and France meet in Stuttgart for a place in the final, with the winners set to face either Germany or Portugal, who play in the other semi-final on Wednesday.
Yamal and Dembélé have been key figures for club and country this season, and the prestigious Ballon d'Or trophy could end up with one of them at the ceremony in Paris this September.
However, the Barça striker challenged a journalist who suggested Thursday's clash could prove decisive for the voting.
"If you had to give the Ballon d'Or, who would you give it to – the best player of the year or the one who wins on Thursday?" Yamal told Spanish broadcaster Cadena COPE on Monday.
"I'm confident we'll win on Thursday, but whether we win or not, I'd vote for the player of the year. Because if something happens to me or Dembélé on Thursday, who do you vote for? Someone who plays on Sunday?
"I would give it to the best player of the year – and I'd keep it for myself."
The competition between the duo is fierce. Dembélé has won a Ligue 1, French Cup and Champions League treble, while 17-year-old Yamal has lifted La Liga, the Copa del Rey, and the Spanish Super Cup.
Dembélé has scored 35 goals in all competitions for club and country this season, with Yamal netting 19.
The nominees for the 2025 edition of the Ballon d'Or – covering performances from 1 August to 31 July – will be announced at the beginning of August, with the ceremony scheduled for 22 September.
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