And guess what? The players in question are none other than Lamine Yamal and Raphinha.

Treble-Winning Season Sparks Big Recognition

Both wingers are fresh off what can only be described as blockbuster campaigns. In the 2024/25 season, the pair tore through defences, delivering a combined total of over 100 direct goal contributions. Omo, numbers no dey lie — these guys were on fire!

Their brilliance played a key role in helping Hansi Flick’s Barcelona secure a domestic treble, dominating La Liga, Copa del Rey, and the Spanish Super Cup.

Lewandowski’s Candid Verdict

When asked about the upcoming Ballon d’Or ceremony, Lewandowski didn’t hold back. He allegedly said:

“Lamine Yamal’s season was incredible, but in the end it all depends on the most important thing. He still has a lot of time left, if not this year, then maybe next year. Raphinha also had an amazing season. We have players who could be favourites to win this award.”

Omo, you can feel the pride in his voice — and maybe a little friendly competition too, since Lewandowski himself is also among the nominees.

The Road to Paris

With the Ballon d’Or ceremony fast approaching, fans will be watching closely to see if either Lamine or Raphinha can pull off the ultimate football crown. One thing is certain — Barcelona’s dominance last season has given them more than one horse in this race.

Omo, this one sweet and painful at the same time — because while we’re happy for his next chapter, it’s sad to see such a strong pillar leave the club.

Iñigo Martínez’s Next Destination

According to reports making rounds in Spain, the 34-year-old defender has reached an agreement to join Saudi Arabian giants Al-Nassr. It’s being claimed that this move is not just about football glory but also about securing one last big paycheck before hanging up his boots.

For Barcelona, this is a heavy blow. Iñigo wasn’t just a rock in defense — he was also a respected voice in the dressing room, someone who commanded respect from both young players and veterans alike.

The Emotional Goodbyes

Late this week, tributes began pouring in from his soon-to-be former teammates.

First up was Lamine Yamal, Barcelona’s young sensation, who posted a touching message on Instagram:

“Thank you for everything my captain.”

Omo, you can feel the emotion in that line — short but deep.

Then came Gavi, another fan favorite, who also couldn’t hide his feelings about Iñigo’s departure:

“Best of luck in your new stage bro. I’m going to miss you my warrior.”

If you ask me, those words alone show how much impact Iñigo had both on and off the pitch.

Why This Move Hits Hard

Barcelona fans know that losing a leader like Iñigo is more than just replacing a player on the team sheet. The chemistry, the leadership, the voice in the dressing room — all that will be hard to replicate.

While Hansi Flick will now have to reshuffle his defensive options, supporters are left reminiscing about the big moments Iñigo delivered in Blaugrana colors.

And now, as the defender prepares to wear the yellow of Al-Nassr, one thing is certain — he leaves behind memories and respect that will last long after his final Barcelona game.

Topping the list is Arsenal’s rock-solid defender, William Saliba. Troost-Ekong didn’t hold back his admiration, saying:

“I love watching William Saliba. From my perspective, I really think he’s a really talented centre defender.”

Omo, no lies detected there—Saliba dey ball like say na cheat code!

He also gave shoutouts to Liverpool skipper Virgil van Dijk and Barcelona wonderkid Lamine Yamal. According to him, their style and impact on the pitch make football even more enjoyable to watch.

Wait, it gets even hotter—he added Nigeria’s own Ademola Lookman and Victor Osimhen to the list. As per Troost-Ekong, these guys are not just talented but represent the future of African football.

But it wasn’t just vibes and admiration. The AFCON 2023 Player of the Tournament also made it clear that he’s not doneyet. He’s setting his eyes firmly on winning the next Africa Cup of Nations, stating the Super Eagles are determined to bring the trophy home.

And for him? It’s deeper than just winning.

“I want to follow in the footsteps of legends like Jay-Jay Okocha and John Mikel Obi.”

Omo this is going to hot if they pull it off in the next AFCON edition.

It was claimed that the 18-year-old Spain international feels misled during his contract renewal phase. Allegedly, Barça had assured him that Athletic Club’s Nico Williams was the only player they were targeting for the left wing.

But fast-forward to the present—omo, they brought in Rashford instead. Talk about a twist no one saw coming!

Yamal, who shares a solid connection with Nico Williams from their time together in the Spanish national team, was reportedly looking forward to forming a deadly duo with his friend at the club level too.

Now here’s where it gets painful — Barça initially promised to activate Williams’ €58 million release clause, but couldn’t follow through after Athletic Bilbao lodged a complaint against them to LaLiga. Instead of pushing harder, the Catalans reportedly settled for Rashford, leaving Yamal feeling sidelined.

And guess what? Bilbao didn’t waste time; they tied Williams down with a fresh 10-year deal until 2035.

Omo this is painful — not just for Yamal, but also for fans who wanted to see the Spain national team chemistry light up LaLiga.

Sources say Yamal is also not happy that he wasn’t informed before Rashford’s deal was sealed. He allegedly believes that the club could have done more to keep their promise and bring Williams to Camp Nou.