There is much debate over who should win the Ballon d’Or this year, but if Lamine Yamal’s recent form continues over the season, handing out next year’s award would be simple. The teenage winger was at his mesmerising best as Barcelona waltzed to a 4-1 win at Galatasaray in the Champions League on Tuesday, to make it 10 victories from 10 matches this season across all competitions. Hansi Flick’s irresistible side have scored 43 goals in that spell, including seven in the last two games, even without talisman Raphinha.
A sensational dribble from Yamal helped create a goal for Anthony Gordon in Istanbul, and the winger’s inviting cross also carved out another for Fermin Lopez.
“It’s amazing to have a player like him on this level. Raphinha’s absence has given former Arsenal striker Gabriel Jesus an opportunity to step in successfully, while Karim Adeyemi has added goals and electric speed when needed to replace Gordon. The Andalusian side are third in La Liga, five points behind Barca and one ahead of Real Madrid.
The 19-year-old was named player of the match and earned lavish praise from his coach after another performance in which his ability to beat defenders and generate danger proved decisive. After Betis come kings of Europe Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League and then the Clasico on October 25 against Jose Mourinho’s Real Madrid in La Liga. After winning the World Cup with Spain, there is a good chance Yamal is crowned the world’s best player on October 26, but right now he is playing at a far higher level than during Spain’s success this summer.
He changed the game for us and this was really good,” Barca coach Flick told reporters.
