Lamine Yamal’s sly dig at Dembele after Spain win: Finest to speak on the pitch
Spain’s teenage sensation Lamine Yamal continues to let his soccer do the speaking — and this time, the message was loud and clear. After powering Spain to a dramatic 5-4 win over France within the UEFA Nations League semi-final on June 6, the 17-year-old wonderkid appeared to take a cheeky swipe at fellow Ballon d’Or contender Ousmane Dembl.
Yamal, who has grow to be one of many frontrunners for the distinguished Ballon d’Or after a staggering 2024-25 marketing campaign with FC Barcelona, bagged a brace within the high-octane conflict and made his level — each on and off the pitch. Whereas he had already stirred up anticipation forward of the semi-final with daring pre-match feedback, it was his post-match reflection that grabbed headlines. With out naming names, Yamal made it clear that he believes the pitch is the one place that actually issues — a possible nod to Dembl’s latest rise with PSG.
“I all the time say the identical factor to mum, that I attempt to give my all. That’s what motivates me and what will get me up within the morning. It’s why I play soccer. It is all the time greatest to talk on the pitch. Dembele’s a fantastic participant, we noticed that within the Champions League, however I’m blissful that we are the ones within the closing,” he informed RTVE after the match.
The Spain-France semi-final was greater than only a Nations League fixture — it was a head-to-head between two of the season’s most adorned attackers. Yamal, contemporary off a treble-winning marketing campaign with Barcelona — having clinched La Liga, Copa del Rey, and the Supercopa de Espana — additionally added Euro 2024 glory to his title with La Roja. Alternatively, Dembl had his personal assertion season, enjoying a starring position in Paris Saint-Germain’s historic quadruple, which included their first-ever UEFA Champions League title, a dominant 5-0 win over Inter Milan within the closing, in addition to Ligue 1, Coupe de France, and the Trophe des Champions.
Statistically, Dembl would possibly maintain the membership edge — ending with 33 objectives and 15 assists in 49 matches — whereas Yamal posted 18 objectives and 25 assists throughout 55 appearances. However Yamal’s nationwide crew success and his influence within the Nations League semi-final could have tilted the Ballon d’Or narrative barely in his favour.
With Spain’s win, Yamal has booked a blockbuster closing towards Portugal — a showdown that pits the rising star towards soccer royalty in Cristiano Ronaldo. France, regardless of mounting a spirited comeback from 0-4 down by the fifty fifth minute, couldn’t discover the equaliser.
Because the Ballon d’Or ceremony approaches on September 22, and with nominations set to roll out in early August, the stage is about for an exciting closing chapter.
