Lamine Yamal was the biggest talking point last night when the Barcelona superstar simply failed to perform against Real Madrid, in the season’s first El Clasico.
Yamal notably missed a huge goalscoring opportunity and was quiet for the large parts of the game, as Barcelona succumbed to a 2-1 defeat at the hands of Real Madrid.
Yamal’s poor performance has led to many criticism, particularly over whether or not he deserves the Ballon d’Or, even though the voting process has been long concluded.
Barcelona are certain of Lamine Yamal
As Barcelona prepare a large delegation for the Ballon d’Or gala in London this evening, the club remain confident of Yamal’s credentials.
It was a disappointing evening for Yamal. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)
According to COPE, Barcelona are certain Yamal will win the Kopa Trophy, which is given to the best player under the age of 21. The Catalan club also do not rule out the teenager walking away with the Ballon d’Or itself.
There will be one notable absentee from the delegation, though. Pau Cubarsi, who is also nominated for the Ballon d’Or, will not travel to London.
The defender finished El Clasico with a fever, and the club feel he needs to rest and disconnect. He is also one of the candidates for the Kopa Trophy.
A close battle
As for the criticism of Yamal’s display against Real Madrid, it will have no bearing whatsoever on tonight’s result.
Yamal still in contention for the Ballon d’Or. (Photo by Burak Kara/Getty Images)
The votes were cast well before the weekend, and the award is decided by a full season’s body of work, not one poor evening at El Clasico.
That said, the main prize is far from a foregone conclusion. Harry Kane winning the Ballon d’Or would not come as a surprise to anyone, given the season the striker has had and the goals he has continued to churn out.
Kylian Mbappe, meanwhile, remains in the conversation, due to his exploits for club and country despite not winning any major titles.
For Barcelona, the hope is that Yamal can put Sunday’s disappointment behind him in the best way possible, by lifting the Kopa Trophy and potentially the Ballon d’Or in London.