The young star Lamine Yamal missed out on the Ballon d’Or at 18 years old, a result that left fans debating what it means for his future. Instead of celebrating history, many were left asking a different question: how old was Lionel Messi when he won his first Ballon d’Or?

Despite his remarkable year leading Spain to the Euro 2024 title and starring for Barcelona, Yamal came up short in the voting. For many, the result was surprising given his performances throughout Europe last season, including his standout display in the Champions League semifinal against Inter.

Fans pointed to the prophecy once made by head coach Hansi Flick — “One day we will see Lamine win the Ballon d’Or” — and were left wondering if the wait might be longer than expected. Yamal’s trophy case still boasted LaLiga,

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