A huge night in Paris

The Théâtre du Châtelet witnessed two key moments for Lamine Yamal. First, the young Barcelona player celebrated winning the Kopa Trophy for the second year running, recognizing him as the best Under-21 player in the world. However, his joy turned to resignation when Ousmane Dembélé was announced as the new Ballon d'Or winner.

Yamal's face was captured by the cameras at the precise moment the winner's name was revealed. Many social media users interpreted his expression as a mixture of acceptance and frustration. There were no gestures of surprise: it seemed that the youngster already knew what was going to happen.

Dembélé's triumph and what it means for the present

The PSG striker won the award after a historic season: 35 goals, 16 assists, titles in all competitions and recognition as the Best Player in the Champions League. For many voters, this campaign was the perfect opportunity to crown Dembélé's footballing maturity.

The result also sends a message about how consistency and the weight of collective titles are valued in the Ballon d'Or selection. Although Yamal dazzled with memorable individual performances, Dembélé was the leader of a PSG team that won everything.

Yamal's expression: resignation or motivation

What got people talking the most was Lamine's reaction. During the ceremony, his smile when receiving the Kopa Trophy contrasted with his serious face when the Ballon d'Or was announced. For some analysts, this reaction can be interpreted as additional fuel for the youngster, who will seek to consolidate his place among the elite and get his revenge in future editions.

Others believe that Yamal showed maturity: accepting that 2025 was not enough, but without losing focus on his own path. At just 18 years old, he still has many opportunities ahead of him.

Yamal and Barcelona move forward

In the short term, Barcelona will celebrate having a player who, despite not winning the Ballon d'Or, continues to break records for precocity. The board is confident that his leadership will be vital in the fight for titles this season.

Furthermore, this “defeat” could be a turning point in his career: a reminder that the road to the Ballon d'Or requires collective titles and consistency throughout the year. If Yamal manages to maintain his trajectory, he could be the big favorite in 2026.