Barça’s teenage prodigy beats PSG stars to win prestigious individual award
Barcelona’s rising star Lamine Yamal continues to make headlines. After turning 18 and unveiling a new shirt number, the young winger has now added a major accolade to his resume — winning the ‘Los 100’ Player of the Season award presented by Spanish outlet Marca.
The annual ranking, compiled by Marca, features 100 of the best footballers in the world, with the final list determined by a distinguished panel of journalists, former players, and coaches.
Yamal Beats Dembélé and Vitinha
Yamal finished well ahead of his competition in the voting, collecting 3,310 points. His closest rivals, Ousmane Dembélé and Vitinha, both of PSG, scored 3,100 and 2,732 points respectively. Despite Barcelona’s absence from the FIFA Club World Cup, Yamal’s performances throughout the season were enough to earn him the top spot.
This victory places him in elite company alongside past winners such as Karim Benzema, Erling Haaland, and Vinícius Júnior.
How the Voting Worked
The jury consisted of 133 experts from Spain and around the world — including sports journalists, ex-players, and coaches. Each voter selected their top 10 players, awarding:
- 🥇 30 points for 1st place
- 🥈 25 points for 2nd
- 🥉 23 points for 3rd
…and so on.
Yamal’s total of 3,310 points secured him a commanding lead, underscoring his rapid rise to stardom and his growing status as a future Ballon d’Or contender.
Team of the Year & Coach Rankings
Marca also revealed a Best XI based on the same voting process. The lineup included players with the highest votes by position:
🏆 Team of the Year
Donnarumma – Hakimi, Van Dijk, Nuno Mendes – Pedri, Vitinha, Fabián Ruiz, Raphinha – Lamine Yamal, Mbappé, Dembélé
Coach of the Year:
- Luis Enrique
- Hansi Flick
- Arne Slot (Liverpool)
Fun Fact: Barça’s Defensive Core Still Reigns
If the Team of the Year had been limited to Spanish players, Barcelona’s entire back four would have made the cut — a testament to the club’s lasting influence on Spanish football, especially in defense, despite a turbulent season.
