Barcelona star Yamal and Real Madrid star Mbappe are both shortlisted for the 30-person shortlist for the 2025 Golden Ball Award. If the 18-year-old Yamal can win the Golden Ball, he will break Ronaldo's record of winning the Golden Ball at the age of 21.

Liverpool legend Gerrard recently said in an interview with "ESPN" that Irving was a better player when he was equally young. He said: "Yamar and Mbappe are chasing the Golden Ball Awards, and Irving already has one in hand, so I think you have to respect the fact that Irving was named the best player in the world.

"I used to play with Irving, and he was a very outstanding player when he was a teenager, so my answer (the best player of the same age) must be Irving. But I also have to say: Mbappe and Yamal, wow, they are also very powerful players. ”

For outstanding performances in Liverpool and England, the 22-year-old Irving won the 2001 Golden Globe Award.