Lamine Yamal, the 18-year-old Barcelona sensation, claimed the Best Forward of the Year award at the prestigious Globe Soccer Awards 2025, held on Sunday night, December 28, at the luxurious Atlantis The Royal hotel in Dubai.
Kabul 24: The young Spanish winger triumphed over fierce competition, including Kylian Mbappé (Real Madrid), Ousmane Dembélé (Paris Saint-Germain), Raphinha (Barcelona teammate), and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia (Paris Saint-Germain), underscoring his explosive rise in global football.globesoccer.com
In his acceptance speech, Yamal displayed remarkable humility: “I want to thank the club, my family, my friends, and everyone.
Every award, whether individual or team, is an honor for me, and now I must continue working to achieve more trophies.” At just 18, Yamal has already etched his name among football’s elite, having finished runner-up in the 2025 Ballon d’Or (behind Dembélé) and winning the Kopa Trophy for the world’s best young player.
Yamal’s stellar 2025 performances justified the accolade. In the previous La Liga season, he scored 9 goals and provided 15 assists, playing a pivotal role in Barcelona’s domestic treble. This season, he has already been directly involved in 20 goals across all competitions, emerging as the club’s most creative and impactful player.
That night in Dubai proved unforgettable for Yamal, as he also received the Diego Armando Maradona Award for exceptional skill and technique—previously won by legends like Cristiano Ronaldo and Jude Bellingham—and was named Best U23 Player in La Liga.
The ceremony featured football icons, including Cristiano Ronaldo, who won Best Middle East Player. Barcelona dominated several categories: Hansi Flick as Best Coach (La Liga), Raphinha as Best Player (La Liga), and the women’s team as Best Women’s Club, with Aitana Bonmatí earning Best Women’s Player for the third consecutive year.
When asked about comparisons to Ronaldo, Yamal responded maturely: “It’s best not to compare yourself to anyone.
Players like Cristiano did what they did because they were themselves—I want to build my own path.” His words reflect a grounded mindset amid skyrocketing fame.
These triumphs signal a bright future for Yamal and world football, where a new generation, led by fearless talents like him, is boldly claiming the spotlight from established stars.
