In recent months, FC Barcelona supporters have been praising Lamine Yamal and fueling an ambitious media campaign around their young prodigy. However, last Friday in Dubai, Jude Bellingham and Vinicius Jr brought Catalan fans back to a harsher reality. The Blaugrana star was even caught off guard.
Lately, Barcelona seems to be trying to mask its struggles by focusing attention on the emergence of individual talents. Lamine Yamal, a promising young striker, has become their poster child. Although his qualities are undeniable, this strategy doesn't work in his favor.
At the Globe Soccer Awards gala last Friday, Real Madrid eclipsed its eternal rival. The Madrid club won several major awards: Best Club, Best Coach, Best President, Best Striker, and Best Player. This triumph also highlighted Jude Bellingham, winner of the Maradona Award for young talents. The young English international midfielder, still considered a prospect despite his early maturity, surpassed Lamine Yamal in this category.
Jude Bellingham proved his superiority over time with remarkable performances for both club and country. Last season, he impressed by finishing as Real Madrid's second-highest scorer. He helped the club win La Liga and the Champions League in his first season at the Bernabéu, and with England, he reached the Euro 2024 final, where they lost to Spain, featuring Lamine Yamal.
Lamine Yamal's Reaction to Jude's Win
During the Globe Soccer Awards gala, cameras zoomed in on Lamine Yamal when Jude Bellingham was announced as the winner of the Best Young Player award. The FC Barcelona prodigy was convinced he would take home the trophy. His recent victory at the Ballon d'Or gala, where he won the Kopa Trophy, and his success at the Golden Boy awards had led him to believe he would win at the Globe Soccer Awards.
However, to his surprise, Jude Bellingham, who had an incredible season with Real Madrid, winning almost everything in Spain and Europe, was declared the winner. Lamine Yamal's face changed, and the FC Barcelona star visibly showed his disappointment on camera.
"I know I'm in the best club in the world. I want to keep winning with this generation. The season is long, and we have time to improve," Jude Bellingham said in his acceptance speech.
If Bellingham shone, the real star of the evening was Vinicius Jr. The Brazilian won the awards for Best Player and Best Striker, confirming his status as a key element for Real Madrid. These awards have eased the debates surrounding the Ballon d'Or, an award many believe was unfairly denied to him. Even Cristiano Ronaldo criticized the award process, stating that Vinicius deserved better.
While Lamine Yamal represents the future, he still needs to prove his consistency at the highest level. FC Barcelona must move beyond illusions and address the structural challenges it faces. Meanwhile, Real Madrid continues its dominance, driven by players like Bellingham and Vinicius, who embody both the present and future of world football.