Ballon d'Or 2025: 3 Reasons Ousmane Dembele Deserves to Beat Lamine Yamal to Award
- One PSG superstar has put together a season so complete that his claim to the Ballon d’Or looks stronger than almost anyone else
- With a mix of eye-catching numbers and silverware at the highest level, his 2024/25 campaign was simply unforgettable
- Few players in recent memory have managed to combine personal brilliance with collective triumphs as seamlessly as he did
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The Ballon d’Or is football’s most prestigious individual honour, sparking fierce debates every year about who truly merits the crown, as this year's winner is set to be announced on Monday, September 22.
In 2025, however, Paris Saint-Germain’s Ousmane Dembélé has built a case that is almost impossible to ignore.
Source: Getty Images
The French winger’s performances throughout the 2024/25 campaign were nothing short of extraordinary, and here are three reasons why he should be recognised as the world’s best player.
1. Dembélé’s remarkable stats
Dembélé’s output last season speaks for itself. Across 53 appearances in all competitions, he scored 35 goals and supplied 16 assists, according to Transfermarkt.
Such productivity underlines not only his sharp finishing but also his creativity, consistently lifting PSG’s attacking threat.
Beyond the statistics, Dembélé’s all-round influence was immense, linking midfield to attack, pressing high to unsettle defenders, and always being available as an outlet.
To be honest, few players combined flair and efficiency as effectively as he did in 2024/25.
2. Dembele key to PSG’s historic quadruple
The 27-year-old was at the heart of PSG’s unprecedented haul of four trophies: Ligue 1, Coupe de France, the French Super Cup, and the UEFA Champions League, as noted by FIFA.
His 21 league goals played a decisive role in securing the domestic title, while his Champions League performances elevated him above most of his 2025 Ballon d’Or rivals.
Winning Europe’s ultimate prize, and doing so with such consistency, gives Ousmane Dembele an edge over emerging stars like Lamine Yamal, who impressed individually but lacked the same level of team triumphs.
Dembélé’s unique blend of personal brilliance and collective glory makes him a standout candidate for the award.
Source: Getty Images
3. Dembele thrived as a false 9
Perhaps the most impressive chapter of his season was his reinvention as a false 9. Traditionally a winger, Dembélé embraced a central role under Luis Enrique, proving he could adapt to new demands at the very highest level.
As a centre-forward, he delivered 21 goals, while still managing 12 more when operating from his natural right flank.
The false 9 role required him to drop deeper, stretch defences, and create space for teammates, a challenge he met with intelligence and confidence.
His mastery of this role highlighted his versatility, cementing his reputation as one of the most complete forwards in world football today.
Why Yamal deserves to win Ballon d'Or
YEN.com.gh earlier featured eight reasons FC Barcelona youngster Lamine Yamal makes a strong case for this year's Ballon d'Or.
The 18-year-old is looking to become the first Barcelona player to win the top football prize after Lionel Messi left the Spanish giants.
Source: YEN.com.gh
