'Arrogance could block Yamal from winning the Ballon d'Or'

The young talent who has just inherited the legendary number 10 jersey at Barcelona is advised to stay grounded and avoid the pitfalls that befell Kylian Mbappe.

Lamine Yamal is currently experiencing the most flourishing phase of his early career. Since making his first-team debut for Barca at 15, the Spanish prodigy has made significant strides to become the new star at Camp Nou. His 18th birthday marked a major milestone: signing a lucrative contract and being handed the iconic number 10 shirt, famously associated with Lionel Messi.

On the pitch, Yamal consistently shines with his dribbling skills, ability to create chances, and unsettling opposing defenses. However, along with the spotlight comes scrutiny from the media and public regarding his private life, which has raised concerns among many.

In an interview with AS, former Barcelona midfielder and 1998 World Cup winner Emmanuel Petit gave a candid assessment: “He reminds me of Messi on the right wing. Every time Yamal touches the ball, he poses a threat, forcing two or three defenders to focus on him, opening spaces for teammates. That’s why Barca has become so unpredictable. At this age, Yamal is truly a phenomenon.”

Petit believes that if Yamal maintains his current form, he can definitely contend for the Ballon d'Or, while also aiming for major goals like winning the Champions League and the World Cup with Spain. However, he also issued a warning: “The only thing Yamal needs to improve is his mentality. When things go well, there’s no problem. But when difficulties arise, many will be waiting to bring him down. I’ve seen him sometimes show arrogance, especially on social media. Yamal must be very careful not to repeat Mbappe’s mistakes, who declined under the weight of expectations and media pressure.”

According to Petit, maturity will come with time, but Yamal’s attitude both on and off the field will determine the level he reaches. “In the past, many great football stars were quite humble. Some were a bit arrogant, but they proved themselves through their performances. Problems only arose when results stopped going their way.”

Currently, Yamal has helped Spain win the EURO and contributed to Barcelona’s domestic treble last season. Entering the 2025/26 campaign, Barca continues its strong start with a perfect 6 points from the first two matches, and Yamal remains the biggest hope for the Catalan club.