Lamine Yamal justifies his arrogance on the pitch and the next victim is Cristiano Ronaldo.

Lamine Yamal is the best player in the world right now. The FC Barcelona and Spain international was voted the best player of the Nations League semi-final against France, where he scored a brace, won a penalty, and drilled Theo Hernández's back . The Spanish winger also lit the flames for the 1-0 victory when he drew defenders together and connected with Oyarzabal inside the box. His ability to draw defenders, leave them scattered , and free his teammates to score goals isn't reflected in the scoring charts, but it creates a real headache for the opposition.

Didier Deschamps had warned before the match. " I have yet to see a team that can stop Lamine Yamal ." And he was right. Neither did a France team, battered by defensive errors and often completely overwhelmed by the 17-year-old's talent. Asked about the Ballon d'Or on COPE ( Spanish Football Association), Lamine Yamal offered a challenge. "I would vote for the best player of the year , but If you want to play it on Thursday, we'll play it on Thursday . "

"We're improving, but we have to believe in ourselves that we're the best. When Real Madrid lost to Arsenal, people thought they could come back. And when we drew against Inter , people doubted them. That's what needs to change ," Lamine Yamal emphasized. The challenge was interpreted by many as a display of vanity, arrogance, and hubris.

Lamine Yamal went a step further when he posted an Instagram post featuring his incredible goal against France in the last European Championship, set to Bad Bunny's song Nadie Sabe . The song's lyrics leave no doubt about Lamine Yamal's feelings.

"It's best to talk on the pitch."

" Tell me who was better than me? I forgot. Since I've been here, it's a pride to be the second. Don't blame me, blame God. Yes, he was the one who gave me the gift. Of making it easy, heh . Of making it look very easy, hey ." " A little provocation," said French media such as RMC Sport . The next step for Lamine Yamal was to score a brace and take responsibility for the penalty he himself had caused.

After the match, Lamine Yamal himself spoke about his chances of winning the Ballon d'Or . "I always tell my mother, what motivates me and what gets me up in the morning is to play football. The best thing is to talk on the pitch." And he concluded, " Dembélé is a great player , but we're in the final ." Or to put it another way, Lamine Yamal's bravado is justified because he then puts his words into practice on the pitch.

Arrogance is justified

As Muhammad Ali said, "It's not arrogance if you can sustain it." Luis de la Fuente, in turn, praised the Barça player. "I'm very happy for Lamine. He's made a statement and shown why he's the best player in the world and why he deserves the Ballon d'Or ."

This season, journalists asked Lamine Yamal about those who call him "overconfident." His answer would go around the world. " As long as I win, they can't say anything to me; when they beat me... then they can." The problem for Lamine Yamal's opponents is that the Barça winger speaks volumes off the pitch, but also on it. Just like Cristiano Ronaldo did, even if it annoyed many.

"I told Araújo before the final. If Real Madrid scores one goal against us, it doesn't matter. If Real Madrid scores two goals against us, it doesn't matter. This year they can't beat us. We've proven that," he said after winning the Copa del Rey final, where he assisted on two of the three Barça goals. Lamine Yamal is a megastar who behaves like one, and his change in attitude after the European Championship is noticeable. He's no longer a child or a teenager. He's now a leader.