Lamine Yamal ‘Complicated’ Rise: Real Madrid Captain Warns Barcelona Star About Inevitable Mistakes Amid Ballon d’Or Buzz

Every so often, football gifts us a story that feels more like legend than reality. In Spain right now, that story is Lamine Yamal. Barely 18 years old, the Barcelona prodigy has already established himself not just as a regular starter at one of the biggest clubs in the world, but as one of the most decisive players on the planet. He has lifted trophies, dominated matches, and even guided Spain to Euro 2024 glory—all while still at an age when most players are figuring out academy life.

But with meteoric rise comes extraordinary pressure. And while Yamal’s name is now firmly in the Ballon d’Or conversation, there are those who caution that the path won’t always be smooth. Among them is none other than Real Madrid captain Dani Carvajal, who, despite being a rival in El Clásico, has stepped in to defend the teenager from critics and remind everyone of the reality of his situation.

Lamine Yamal Situation: Why It’s ‘Complicated’

Carvajal knows the game inside out. He has been part of the highs and lows of playing at the very top, and he understands how suffocating the expectations can be for young talents. Speaking on Cadena SER’s El Larguero, the Madrid right-back offered perspective on Yamal’s whirlwind rise:

“People have to understand that it’s complicated. He’s an 18-year-old kid who’s already a key player at a club like FC Barcelona, which is one of the best in the world. He’s making a difference, he’s signed an important contract, his impact has increased dramatically, and well, in the end, it’s not easy to manage.”

The word “complicated” feels like the perfect description. On the one hand, Yamal has already produced a season most players could only dream of—18 goals and 25 assists across 55 matches, while leading Barça to a domestic treble. On the other, he’s still navigating the personal and emotional challenges of being a teenager suddenly thrust into global superstardom.

Carvajal was quick to stress that mistakes will inevitably come. “He’ll make mistakes, as we all have. But, in the end, if you perform on the pitch, give it your all, and then have the quality he has, which is undeniable, then in the end he can become a player who can mark an era.”

Ballon d’Or Talk Surrounding Yamal

Lamine Yamal of FC Barcelona celebrates Yamal

Yamal’s stunning season has placed him among the frontrunners for this year’s Ballon d’Or. Incredibly, he is tipped as one of the two favourites, alongside former Barcelona man Ousmane Dembélé. For a teenager who only made his professional debut 15 months ago, that’s almost unheard of.

Yet Carvajal himself was careful not to get drawn into the award speculation. “He could be among the candidates for the Ballon d’Or, especially because of his youth. In the end, let’s not forget that he’s 18, and that I was at Castilla when I was 18, so it’s very difficult to make a difference at that age in professional football. Since I’m not going to vote, I’m not going to give it to anyone because I’m not the captain, so I’m off the hook.”

That comment reveals two things: respect for Yamal’s unbelievable achievements, but also a sense of caution against getting too carried away. Ballon d’Or awards are about careers, not just seasons, and as Carvajal subtly implies, consistency over time will be the true test.

Barcelona’s New Jewel

It’s impossible to ignore just how transformative Yamal has been for Barcelona. After a few turbulent seasons post-Messi, the Catalan club were desperate for a new talisman to carry them forward. They may not have expected it to come in the form of a 16-year-old at the time, but Yamal’s emergence has completely re-energised the Camp Nou.

His dribbling is fearless, his vision is mature beyond his years, and his numbers speak for themselves. He is not just a showman; he is productive. In his breakout season, he contributed directly to over 40 goals in La Liga and Europe combined. Add to that his decisive role in Spain’s Euro 2024 triumph, and you have the makings of a generational star.

But it’s not just about the numbers. Watch Yamal for five minutes, and you can see the aura. He plays like he belongs at the very top, with the swagger of someone who has nothing to prove—yet with the humility of a kid who is still soaking up advice from his senior teammates.

Real Madrid’s Carvajal and the Clasico Dynamic

Spain v Croatia: Group B – UEFA EURO 2024 Yamal

What makes Carvajal’s defence of Yamal particularly interesting is that the two are natural rivals. The Madrid captain has spent his career battling Barcelona’s icons on the biggest stages, from Messi to Neymar to Suárez. Now, he finds himself facing a teenager who may well dominate El Clásico for the next decade.

And yet, instead of stoking rivalry, Carvajal chose empathy. Perhaps he sees a bit of himself in Yamal. At 18, Carvajal was nowhere near Madrid’s first team, spending his time with Castilla and learning his trade on loan in Germany. By contrast, Yamal is already starring on global stages. For Carvajal, it’s proof of just how unique the youngster’s path is—and how important it will be for the football world to give him space to grow.

What’s Next for Yamal and Spain

Both Carvajal and Yamal now shift their focus to international duty. Spain face Bulgaria and Turkey in back-to-back Euro 2028 qualifiers, and both players are expected to be crucial for Luis de la Fuente’s side. Yamal’s form has carried straight into the new season, with two goals and two assists already in Barcelona’s opening fixtures.

For Spain, his partnership with the likes of Nico Williams and Pedri could define the national team’s future. If his Euro 2024 performances were a glimpse of what’s possible, then the next few years could see him elevate La Roja back into the world’s elite.

The Reality Check

What Carvajal has done, intentionally or not, is provide a reality check. Yes, Lamine Yamal is already one of the best young players in football, and yes, he may well win the Ballon d’Or one day. But the path from prodigy to legend is long, winding, and full of challenges.

The message is simple: he’s 18. He will make mistakes. He will face dips in form. He will be criticised. And that’s okay. Because what matters most is how he responds, and whether he continues to channel his extraordinary talent into consistent, game-changing performances.

Lamine Yamal: A Star, But Still a Kid

For now, fans should enjoy the ride. It’s rare to witness a player this young producing at such a level. The comparisons to Messi will inevitably come, the Ballon d’Or debates will rage, and every touch will be scrutinised. But as Carvajal wisely pointed out, this is a complicated situation.

Lamine Yamal is not just the future—he is the present. And while mistakes will be part of his journey, they may just be the stepping stones that help him carve out an era of his own.