Barcelona\'s Lamine Yamal scored twice and earned MVP honors as Spain defeated France 5-4 in Thursday\'s UEFA Nations League semifinal in Stuttgart. Spain coach Luis de la Fuente declared the 17-year-old\'s performance a clear \"statement\" for the Ballon d\'Or award, according to RTVE.
The match had been promoted as a Ballon d\'Or showdown between Yamal and Paris Saint-Germain\'s Ousmane Dembelele. Yamal helped set up Spain\'s opening goal through Nico Williams before scoring twice in the second half as La Roja built a commanding 5-1 lead.
\"Lamine Yamal has made a statement tonight and shown that he should win the Ballon d\'Or,\" De la Fuente told RTVE after the match.
\"He\'s the best player in the world and, in my opinion, of course, he deserves to win the Ballon d\'Or.\"
Spanish Officials Rally Behind Yamal\'s Award Case
Athletic Club winger Williams and Spanish Football Federation president Rafael Louzan both endorsed Yamal\'s Ballon d\'Or candidacy following the performance. Louzan praised the teenager\'s complete impact beyond his two goals.
\"It\'s not just the two goals, it\'s everything he does,\" Louzan said. \"Everything he does surprises you again and again.\"
Dembele was substituted after Spain\'s fifth goal, having made minimal impact just five days after helping PSG win the Champions League. France mounted a dramatic late comeback with three goals but fell short of completing the turnaround.
\"I always say the same thing to mum, that I try to give my all,\" Yamal told RTVE when asked about his Ballon d\'Or chances.
\"That is what motivates me and what gets me up in the morning. It\'s always best to speak on the pitch.\"
Spain will face Portugal in Sunday\'s final in Munich, while France meets Germany in the third-place playoff. The defending European champions seek their second major trophy in consecutive summers.