Yamal finished second in this year's count behind PSG star Ousmane Dembele on Monday night.
Rivaldo, who won the Ballon d'Or as a Barca player, has no doubts about the 18 year-old's potential, but says improvements are needed in his game.
He told Betfair: "I think Lamine has everything to be a Ballon d'Or winner next year and I think this season will stand out much more than last.
"But, the way he plays, I think he will win the Ballon d'Or when he scores a lot of goals and gives a lot of assists. Not just because of how he plays. As already happened to Cristiano Ronaldo or Messi."
On Dembele, a former Barca player, Rivaldo said: "He has had great tournaments, he has scored many goals and given many assists. That's why he won the Ballon d'Or.
"And also for having been champion of almost everything he played. And he is the figure of Paris Saint-Germain. So much so that PSG won the award for best coach and team of the year. They gave him the Ballon d'Or for what he did."