By Hellen Ayodeji
France defender Jules Kounde has tipped his Barcelona team mate Lamine Yamal to win the 2025 Ballon d’Or.
Kounde admitted it was a “tricky situation” since both Yamal and fellow Frenchman Ousmane Dembele are among the 30 shortlisted nominees, but he believes the 18-year-old Spaniard deserves the honour.
“Lamine Yamal for the Ballon d’Or? You’re putting me in a tricky situation, but I think he deserves it,” Kounde told Le10Sport. “He’s a team player, he works a lot for the team, and I understand him perfectly.”
Yamal enjoyed a breakout season with Barcelona, scoring 18 goals in LaLiga and impressing in the UEFA Champions League after being promoted to the first team by former coach Xavi.
