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Lamine Yamal is currently the best teenager on the world circuit. His triumph in the Raymond Kopa trophy during the Ballon d’Or evening is proof of this. The prodigy of Barça and the Spanish selection was chosen as the best footballer under the age of 21, notably ahead of other nuggets such as his teammate Cubarsi, Guler, Mainoo and Savinho.
If Yamal was crowned, it is because he came out on top in the votes cast by former Ballon d’Or winners. Indeed, and unlike what is the case for the main competition, it is ex-footballers who decide and choose the best young person. Many football legends have taken part in this exercise. But there are also others who also abstained. And among those who preferred not to give their Top 3 there is Zinedine Zidane.
Zidane does not want to favor Barça
Winner of the BO in 1998, Zidane was contacted by the France Football editorial team. He declined the offer. However, last year, he voted well and chose Jude Bellingham as number 1. Was it to avoid giving his vote to Barcelona’s Lamine Yamal that he said no this time? This hypothesis cannot be excluded given its link with rival club Real Madrid. Moreover, in 2022, he opted for Bellingham also in his top 3, as did Eduardo Camavinga, granting no points to Gavi, who won the trophy.
Note that Zidane was not the only former BO to abstain. This is also the case, for example, for Cristiano Ronaldo. But he has always snubbed this type of request, notably due to his dispute with the editorial staff of France Football which dates from 2021.
Written by:
Manu Tournoux is a passionate and knowledgeable football enthusiast with a special focus on French football. Born and raised in France, Manu discovered his love for the beautiful game at a young age and developed a deep understanding of the ins and outs of "Le Championnat." His French roots and extensive experience in football journalism have made him an invaluable asset to the French Football Weekly team.
 
 As an author for the website, Manu's expertise includes not only in-depth analysis of Ligue 1 and Ligue 2 matches but also insightful profiles of up-and-coming talents, detailed transfer news, and engaging coverage of the French national team. His captivating writing style and undeniable passion for the game have earned him a loyal following among our readers.
 
 When he's not crafting engaging articles for French Football Weekly, Manu enjoys attending live matches whenever he can, exploring football culture in various French cities, and engaging in spirited debates with fellow fans. Feel free to follow Manu on Twitter and interact with him as he shares his expert opinions, insights, and love for French football.
