Why Lamine Yamal Missed Out on the Ballon d'Or
Lamine Yamal finished runner-up for the Ballon d'Or, which was won by Harry Kane, and had to settle for the Kopa Trophy for the third consecutive year. His disappointing start to the season and early Champions League exit were key factors. Yamal's campaign was hampered by a pubalgia injury, leading to a slow start while Kane scored 13 goals in his first 10 Bundesliga matches. Barcelona's quarter-final elimination by Atlético Madrid in the Champions League also weighed heavily, compared to Bayern Munich's run to the semi-finals. Spain's World Cup victory was overshadowed by Yamal's discreet performances, with votes split among national teammates Rodri and Fabián. Kane's remarkable 73 goals in 65 matches, the second-highest seasonal total ever behind Lionel Messi, ultimately proved decisive.