Barcelona is performing well and is a strong contender for the La Liga title and Copa del Rey once again. Lamine Yamal deserves more recognition as a frontrunner for the Ballon d’Or in the 2025/26 season.
Although Yamal’s nine goals and eight assists may not measure up to the statistics of Harry Kane, Kylian Mbappe, or Michael Olise, he stands out in different aspects. No other player in European football matches his skill in carrying the ball and succeeding in one-on-one situations, with an impressive average of 5.4 dribbles completed per game.
The young star is also posting remarkable stats, averaging 2.9 key passes and 2.1 fouls drawn per game. Yamal is performing at an exceptional level, which should be better reflected in his overall statistics, including assists.
However, the quality of players around him is a concern for Barcelona. Many fans realize that having Ferran Torres as the starting striker for such a talented team is an issue.
This season, Torres has been underwhelming, scoring only 12 goals in 20 La Liga appearances, despite receiving numerous opportunities from Yamal and Pedri. He is not converting enough chances into goals.
Barcelona needs to find a more effective striker than Ferran Torres. With a better forward, Yamal could easily have 16 assists by now, and Torres significantly affects Yamal’s chances of gaining more recognition for the Ballon d’Or.