18-year-old Yamal is a leading contender for the 2025 Ballon d'Or and would become the youngest recipient in history if he wins. This record is currently held by Ronaldo Nazario, the former Brazilian striker who won the Ballon d'Or in 1997 at the age of 21.
Mbappe, 26, is also among the 30 nominees this year. The French forward has never won the Ballon d'Or, with his best result being third place in 2023, behind Erling Haaland and Lionel Messi.
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Michael Owen wins the 2001 Ballon d'Or. Photo: L'Equipe |
Michael Owen wins the 2001 Ballon d'Or. Photo: L'Equipe
Gerrard and Owen were teammates at Liverpool for six years before the English striker moved to Real Madrid in 2004. According to Gerrard, his compatriot Owen was better than Yamal and Mbappe during their teenage years.
"Those two are chasing the Ballon d'Or, while one already has it," the Liverpool legend told ESPN on 8/8. "You have to respect the fact that Owen was once voted the best player in the world. I played with him, Owen was an extraordinary teenage player. But Mbappe and Yamal are also two great players," he added.
Owen made his Liverpool debut at 17 in 1996 and holds the record for most Premier League goals scored as a teenager with 40 goals in 79 games. Notably, he scored 25 goals in 1998, a record for goals scored in a calendar year by a teenage player.
The former English striker helped Liverpool win the UEFA Cup, FA Cup, and League Cup treble in the 2000-2001 season, then won the 2001 Ballon d'Or at the age of 22, becoming the first Englishman to win the prestigious individual award since Kevin Keegan in 1979.
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Yamal celebrates winning Euro 2024. Photo: UEFA |
Yamal celebrates winning Euro 2024. Photo: UEFA
Born on 13/7/2007, Yamal emerged from La Masia academy and made his La Liga debut in 4/2023. He is the youngest player to play for Barca, at 15 years, 9 months, and 16 days old. Yamal also holds the records for the youngest player to start for Barca (16 years and 38 days) and the youngest player to provide an assist in La Liga (16 years and 45 days).
Since then, Yamal has made significant strides, becoming the youngest scorer in La Liga and the Champions League knockout stage, as well as the youngest player to debut and score for the Spanish national team. At 16, he was a key player in Spain's Euro 2024 victory, winning the Golden Boy and Kopa Trophy, the award given to the best U21 player of the year at the Ballon d'Or Gala organized by France Football magazine.
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Mbappe lifts the World Cup trophy as France wins the 2018 World Cup in Russia. Photo: EPA |
Mbappe lifts the World Cup trophy as France wins the 2018 World Cup in Russia. Photo: EPA
Mbappe has been a leading player in world football for almost a decade. He rose to prominence with AS Monaco before moving to PSG in the summer of 2017. In seven years playing for the Parisian club, he set the club's scoring record (256 goals) and won 15 titles.
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Gerrard and Owen lift the English League Cup in 2001. Photo: AFP |
Gerrard and Owen lift the English League Cup in 2001. Photo: AFP
Mbappe was a key player in France's 2018 World Cup triumph at just 19, scoring a goal in the 4-2 final victory over Croatia, becoming the youngest scorer in a World Cup final since Pele.
Hong Duy (ESPN)
