“Lamine was the best player in the world in 2024… but people didn’t vote for him because he’s only 17,” Mendes said.
“They didn’t vote Lamine because they think that he would have more time to win the award”.
Yamal finished 8th position in the 2024 Ballon d’Or rankings.
The Spain international, who was behind the likes of Rodri, Vinicius, Jude Bellingham, Dani Carvajal, Erling Haaland, Kylian Mbappe and Lautaro Martinez, won the award for the best young player in the world.
