Lamine Yamal Gets Bad Ballon d’Or Message as PSG Star Benefits | OneFootball

Ousmane Dembélé has pushed his way into being the frontrunner for the Ballon d’Or after a standout 2024–25 campaign with PSG. The French winger played a central role in the club’s historic treble, lifting the Champions League, Ligue 1, and Coupe de France.

His numbers back it up: 35 goals and 16 assists in 53 appearances. More importantly, Dembélé delivered on the biggest stages, strengthening his case as the leading candidate for football’s top individual honor.

Also in contention is Barcelona’s Lamine Yamal, who produced 18 goals and 25 assists in 55 matches. His performances powered Barcelona to La Liga, the Copa del Rey, and the Supercopa de España, keeping him firmly in the mix for the Ballon d’Or.

Does PSG Star Ousmane Dembélé Deserve the Ballon d’Or

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With the Ballon d’Or ceremony occurring this upcoming Monday, the conversation over who should receive the award is up for debate. CBS Sports’ JayDee Dyer believes that the honor should go to the PSG standout.

“I think the journey that he’s been on, the high-profile moves that he’s had to make and how he’s had to change his game and adapt his game, he’s deserved to win in terms of this year because of what they choose in terms of their criteria,” Dyer said on CBS Sports Golazo.

“The criteria is can you turn up in the big moments and have those big goals, and every single time PSG’s needed someone to lean upon, he’s been the focal point or he’s been one of the talisman in that situation. So, if that’s the criteria for the Ballon d’Or, then I have to give it to Dembélé.”

Meanwhile, current PSG club chief Luis Campos explained why it’s a no-brainer to pick Dembélé as the winner for this honor.

“Does Ousmane Dembélé have to win the Ballon d’Or? Let me counter your question: If the best player in the league and the Champions League were named Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo, would there be any debate?” Campos said on RMC Sport.

“If he doesn’t win the Ballon d’Or, then the voters would clearly not be competent to vote for this prestigious trophy.”