Does Ousmane Dembélé Deserve to Win the 2025 Ballon D’Or?

The race for the 2025 Ballon d'Or features two prominent contenders: Lamine Yamal and Ousmane Dembélé, with Dembélé holding a distinct advantage due to his exceptional individual and collective performance in a historic season. He was instrumental in Paris Saint-Germain's (PSG) long-awaited Champions League victory, establishing himself as the team's key player.

Dembélé's season was marked by impressive statistics, including 33 goals and 13 assists across all competitions. He secured the Ligue 1 Golden Boot with 21 goals and was named Champions League Player of the Season, contributing 8 goals and 6 assists in 15 matches, making him PSG's most decisive player ever in European competitions.

His campaign was highlighted by unforgettable moments, such as a stunning goal in the Champions League final and decisive strikes against Bayern Munich and Real Madrid in the Club World Cup, showcasing his character in critical matches. Under coach Luis Enrique, Dembélé adapted to a central role, becoming PSG's primary presser and a key counterattacking weapon, which underscored his tactical importance at age 28 as he led the attack to European success.

While the debate with Yamal is intense, Dembélé's case is strengthened by winning the first-ever French "poker"—Ligue 1, the Cup, the Champions League, and the Super Cup—while serving as the offensive leader. Many argue that not awarding him the Ballon d'Or would contradict football's team sport essence, given his perfect season, historic stats, and undeniable impact, making the present moment unequivocally about Ousmane Dembélé.