‎'I Want to Create My Own Journey': Lamine Yamal Downplays Cristiano Ronaldo Comparisons After Best Forward Honor

‎Lamine Yamal has made it clear that he intends to carve out his own identity in football as his career continues to progress. After being named Best Forward at the Globe Soccer Awards, the 18-year-old addressed comparisons with Cristiano Ronaldo and explained that his ambition is to follow a personal route to the top rather than mirror the achievements of others.

‎

‎Lamine Yamal responds to Cristiano Ronaldo comparisons after winning Best Forward at the Globe Soccer Awards, stressing his desire to follow a unique football path.

‎Getty Images Sport 

‎

‎Speaking after receiving the award, Yamal highlighted that Ronaldo became a global icon by staying true to himself. He noted that this approach inspires him to focus on developing his own style and legacy as he pushes closer to the highest level of the game.

‎

‎Yamal focused on shaping his own football journey

‎

‎The early stages of Yamal’s career suggest he is already building a path unlike any other. His rapid rise has been marked by a series of record-breaking achievements that continue to set him apart from his peers.

‎

‎Widely regarded as one of the greatest wonderkids football has seen, Yamal accomplished feats before turning 18 that many legendary players never managed at the same age. At just 16, he both played and scored at Euro 2024, becoming the youngest player ever to do so. Spain went on to win the tournament only days after Yamal celebrated his 17th birthday.

‎

‎Major individual recognition continues to follow

‎

‎Less than a year and a half later, Yamal finished as runner-up in the 2025 Ballon d’Or. His impressive year was further recognised in Dubai, where he collected the Best Forward award and the Diego Armando Maradona Award at the Globe Soccer Awards. Ousmane Dembele was also honoured on the night, being named Best Male Player after an outstanding season with Paris Saint-Germain.

‎

‎Yamal reacts after Globe Soccer Awards success

‎

‎According to Fabrizio Romano on X, Yamal shared his thoughts following the ceremony, stressing the importance of avoiding comparisons. He explained that players such as Cristiano Ronaldo succeeded because they chose to be themselves rather than measure their careers against others.

‎

‎Yamal added that his priority is to build his own path and remain focused on personal growth as his career continues to evolve.

‎

‎A standout 2025 puts Yamal among football’s elite

‎

‎Throughout 2025, Yamal has been consistently mentioned among the leading contenders for football’s top individual honours. Many believe he remains firmly in contention for future Ballon d’Or and Best Male Player awards if he maintains his current progress and secures more major trophies with both Barcelona and Spain.

‎

‎Barcelona currently sit at the top of La Liga but have not lifted the Champions League trophy in the past decade. With the 2026 World Cup also approaching, the next phase of Yamal’s journey could mark another defining chapter in his rapidly developing career.

‎

‎After narrowly missing out on the Ballon d’Or to Dembele, Yamal reflected on his season in a September Instagram post. He wrote that God’s plan is perfect, emphasising the need to climb step by step to reach the summit. He also expressed happiness at winning the Kopa Trophy for a second time and congratulated Dembele on his award and impressive campaign.

‎

‎A journey just getting started

‎

‎Comparisons with legends such as Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi are almost inevitable, but Barcelona’s latest superstar has repeatedly underlined his desire to be recognised on his own terms. Yamal wants his name to stand for a unique journey to the very top of the sport.

‎

‎Despite his remarkable achievements, the teenager believes there is still significant room for improvement. His swift ascent has already proven difficult to measure against any previous career path, and the potential scope of what he could still achieve remains extraordinary.