Lamine Yamal #19

Profile

Spanish football’s rising star has become one of world football’s superstars. After finishing second in the Ballon d’Or standings to Ousmane Dembélé last year the Barcelona winger was already setting his sights on the top prize. Despite winning his second consecutive league title, it has not been a straightforward season for the 18-year-old, who caused a spat with Real Madrid before and after last October’s clásico and has missed spells – including the final weeks of the campaign – with injury. However, there’s no doubt now that he is Barcelona and Spain’s talisman. If he avoids further fitness issues and leads La Roja to glory in North America, he will be many people’s pick for this year’s Ballon d’Or. The son of a Guinean mother and a Moroccan father, Yamal has broken records throughout his career, including becoming the youngest person to play and to score for Spain at 16 years and 57 days.

Key stats