At the ISDE Sports Convention 2025, LaLiga president Javier Tebas stirred things up by naming his ideal picks for the next Ballon d’Or. Instead of going for the usual suspects like Kylian Mbappé or Ousmane Dembélé, he backed two stars lighting it up in Spanish football: Lamine Yamal, the rising gem at FC Barcelona, and Vinícius Jr., the electric winger for Real Madrid.

Between homegrown talent and proven stars

Tebas caught the media off guard with a bold take: “It should be between Lamine Yamal or Vinicius,” he said straight up. While he admitted the Brazilian hasn't had a standout season from start to finish, he still backed him: “It hasn’t been an amazing season, but let’s not forget how good he was at the start. Winning the Ballon d’Or is about the full year—and he’s still got international matches and the Club World Cup ahead,” he explained.

The league boss also took the chance to praise Barcelona's youth system, pointing to Lamine Yamal as proof that big-money signings aren't always the answer. “When you trust young players, you see the results. Look at Barcelona—Marc Casadó, Pau Cubarsí, and Lamine Yamal. A lot of times, the stars are right at home,” he said confidently.

Standing up for LaLiga and sending a message to the football world

Beyond the Ballon d’Or, Tebas touched on several hot topics in Spanish football—from UEFA’s investigation into Barça’s alleged financial issues, to the impact of the new Club World Cup, and even his thoughts on the Kings League, which he called “a good initiative,” but one that “can’t compete with major premium sports.”

With these statements, Tebas doubled down on his belief in the emerging talent within LaLiga, while also sending a strong message about backing what you have at home. In a football world that’s more global than ever, the head of Spain’s top league made it clear: the Ballon d’Or can—and should—stay right here.