Age shouldn't be a barrier for the Lamine Yamal to win the award. The young player is extraordinary and plays like a 25 year old with great strength and stamina. He should be given the award if he gets the maximum votes. But with his performance in the finals where he was boxed by Nuno Mendes, his chances reduced drastically.
Does Lamine yamal truly deserve this award? No in my own opinion, football has gone past that stage when they gives award to players based on the fact that they were the most skilful players around, now football is more of numbers, how many goals and assist did he got this season for him to be considered?
I even fancy raphinha ahead of Lamine yamal because in goals and assist he is ahead of him, and just as you rightfully pointed out here, in the finals that he should have prove himself why he deserves it, but he was out fought by Nuno Mendes and that alone proves why it will be terribly wrong giving him the award when their are more players that did better than him this season.
Look at what cristiano Ronaldo was saying the other day about the ballon d'Or, he said that the award has lost it credibility, which to me is right.
Lamine yamal shouldn't have been in among the first three if they want to go by credibility because his numbers is too poor as an attacking player.