Ronaldo Shocks Fans by Not Choosing Yamal as Best Young Player

Recently, Lamine Yamal was named the best under-21 player in the world, with an overwhelming majority of former Ballon d'Or winners voting for him. However, controversy arose when former Brazil striker Ronaldo did not rank Yamal as his top choice, opting instead for Manchester City young star Savinho. This decision was surprising, considering that Yamal received 22 out of 23 votes as the top player in the Kopa Trophy voting. Marco van Basten, another former winner, credited two Manchester United youngsters, Alejandro Garnacho and Kobbie Mainoo, in his top three picks. Garnacho was ranked second and Mainoo third on his ballot, highlighting the strong potential of players coming through United's ranks. Van Basten's picks contrasted sharply with the consensus view, where Yamal was recognized as the standout talent. Mainoo’s strong showing in the voting process confirms the increasing recognition of young talents in European football. With 20 points, he came third overall behind Yamal's impressive 113 points and Arda Guler’s 26 points. Yamal's accolades come after his vital contributions to Spain's success in the European Championships. This outcome raises questions about the voting behavior of former winners, especially Ronaldo's choice, which defied the general trend. The ongoing debate on the criteria for ranking young talents continues as players like Garnacho and Mainoo garner attention amid the spotlight on Yamal's achievements.