Spanish-Moroccan prodigy Lamine Yamal told what to do to win Ballon d’Or

Barcelona legend Rivaldo has urged Spanish sensation Lamine Yamal to sharpen his end product if he wants to claim football’s highest individual honour, the Ballon d’Or.

The 18-year-old finished runner-up to Paris Saint-Germain star Ousmane Dembélé in this year’s vote announced on Monday night, despite his dazzling displays for club and country.

Born in Spain to a Moroccan father and an Equatorial Guinean mother, Yamal has emerged as one of the brightest talents of his generation and is widely tipped to dominate the global stage for years to come.

Yet Rivaldo, himself a Ballon d’Or winner during his glittering spell at Barcelona, believes the teenager must add more goals and assists to his game to truly match his potential.

“I think Lamine has everything to be a Ballon d’Or winner next year and I think this season will stand out much more than last,” Rivaldo told Betfair.

“But, the way he plays, I think he will win the Ballon d’Or when he scores a lot of goals and gives a lot of assists. Not just because of how he plays. As already happened to Cristiano Ronaldo or Messi.”

Rivaldo also praised Dembélé, the PSG forward whose prolific contributions secured him the award.

“He has had great tournaments, he has scored many goals and given many assists. That’s why he won the Ballon d’Or,” he added.

“And also for having been champion of almost everything he played. And he is the figure of Paris Saint-Germain. So much so that PSG won the award for best coach and team of the year. They gave him the Ballon d’Or for what he did.”

Yamal will now aim to respond on the pitch as Barcelona continue their pursuit of domestic and European glory this season.