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Nico Williams Champions Lamine Yamal for Ballon d’Or After Stellar Spain Performance

Nico Williams has thrown his weight behind teammate Lamine Yamal as a top contender for the Ballon d’Or following another impressive showing by the Barcelona forward with Spain. Yamal made an immediate impact, scoring just 75 seconds into Spain's 4-1 triumph over Croatia in Sevilla, adding to his early goal against England at Wembley in a 2-1 win.

The young Barcelona star’s latest brace further cements his rising reputation on the international stage and strengthens his claim for football’s most prestigious individual prize, though voting had already closed. For Nico Williams, the choice is clear.

Nico Williams' Thoughts on Yamal’s Potential

The Athletic Club winger, who also scored against Croatia, praised Yamal after the match. He encourages Yamal to keep enjoying football rather than getting distracted by award talk.

"I tell him to be himself and enjoy it. When he smiles, he plays better. He already shows it every day. The Ballon d’Or doesn’t depend on him, but if not now, then later."

Nico went further expressing his firm belief about the award:

"Anyone who understands football knows that Lamine Yamal should win the Ballon d’Or. I hope Lamine wins it. If you really know about football, and you really enjoy football, then you know Lamine is the best."

This statement was reported by Fabrizio Romano, confirming the sincerity behind Nico’s support.

A Friendship Beyond Football

Off the pitch, Yamal and Nico share a lighthearted friendship that brings humor even during travels. Recently, while riding together in a shuttle, Yamal noticed Nico’s sweaty armpit and turned the moment into a joke by filming it and tagging AXE deodorant on Instagram. This playful clip quickly caught the attention of fans, highlighting the camaraderie between the two Spain internationals.