Luis Figo Picks Lamine Yamal Over Messi in Ballon d’Or Challenge
Former Barcelona star and 2000 Ballon d’Or winner Luis Figo has given Lamine Yamal a major endorsement, selecting the teenage Barcelona forward ahead of Lionel Messi in a head-to-head Ballon d’Or challenge.
Figo was presented with a series of choices involving some of the biggest names in world football, eventually reaching a final that put Messi against Yamal.
The Barcelona youngster ultimately received Figo’s vote.
Figo Puts Yamal Through a Star-Studded Ballon d’Or Bracket
The challenge required Figo to make a series of quick decisions between prominent players.
When asked to choose between Messi and Ousmane Dembélé, the former Portugal international went with the Argentine.
Harry Kane was selected ahead of Erling Haaland, while Yamal also received Figo’s backing in his initial matchup against Rodri.
Figo then chose Kylian Mbappé over Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, setting up two fascinating semi-final contests.
Messi subsequently defeated Kane to book his place in the final.
The other semi-final was much closer on paper, with Figo forced to choose between Mbappé and Yamal.
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Yamal Beats Mbappé Before Facing Messi
Figo ultimately selected Yamal over Mbappé, sending the Barcelona teenager into a final against one of the greatest players in football history.
The matchup created a fascinating contrast.
On one side was Messi, whose career is filled with individual awards, records and major trophies.
On the other was Yamal, a Barcelona academy graduate who has already established himself as one of the most influential young players in world football.
Figo's final decision therefore carried plenty of significance.
Figo Chooses Yamal Over Messi
When the final choice came down to Messi or Yamal, Figo opted for the Barcelona youngster.
The former Barça player acknowledged the enormous list of achievements Messi has already accumulated before explaining his decision.
“Let’s give it to Lamine; Messi’s got plenty already.”
Figo delivered the comment with a smile, but his selection nevertheless provides another high-profile endorsement of Yamal as the Ballon d’Or debate reaches its decisive stage.
For Yamal, being selected ahead of Messi, Mbappé and several other elite players by a former Ballon d’Or winner adds another notable moment to an already remarkable individual campaign.
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