Dembele Defies Expectations, Attends Ballon d’Or Gala Despite Le Classique Clash
- Despite being ruled out of PSG’s squad for Le Classique and initial claims he wouldn’t attend, Ousmane Dembele surprised many by showing up at the gala
- The French winger arrived as the favourite to win after an extraordinary 2024/25 season with 35 goals and 16 assists
- He was one of nine PSG players nominated, underlining the club’s strength after their treble-winning campaign
Ousmane Dembélé attended the Ballon d’Or awards on Monday night, even though the ceremony clashed directly with Le Classique.
The French winger was spotted walking the red carpet alongside PSG teammates João Neves and Désiré Doué.
Source: Getty Images
The 28-year-old had not initially been expected to attend the event, but he made a late change of plans and decided to represent the club at the gala.
In the end, though, the former Barcelona star defied expectations, arriving at the Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris to take his place at football’s most glamorous night.
His presence is already being interpreted by some as a strong sign that he may indeed be crowned the world’s best male footballer on Monday night.
Watch Dembele's arrival at the Ballon d'Or gala:
The former Dortmund star enters the ceremony as the favourite for the award following a sensational 2024/25 campaign in which he scored 35 goals and provided 16 assists across all competitions, per Transfermarkt.
However, he faces stiff competition from Barcelona prodigy Lamine Yamal.
In a photo shared on X, the duo shared a warm embrace at the ceremony.
In total, nine PSG players from last season’s treble-winning squad earned nominations for the men’s Ballon d’Or.
Alongside Dembélé, the list includes Doué, Achraf Hakimi, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, Nuno Mendes, João Neves, Fabián Ruiz, and Vitinha, as well as former teammate Gianluigi Donnarumma, now at Manchester City.
Per beIN Sports, PSG’s Ligue 1 showdown with Marseille was rescheduled from Sunday to Monday evening, forcing it to overlap with the Ballon d’Or ceremony.
Dembele predicted to win 2025 Ballon d'Or
Few could have predicted that Dembele would outshine some of the biggest names in world football last season, given his struggles at Barcelona.
However, the French winger delivered his most productive campaign yet. In the Champions League, Dembele was instrumental with 8 goals and 6 assists in 15 appearances, guiding PSG to a historic triumph in Munich.
Impressive numbers and consistency are what set Dembele apart. Long criticised for these key metrics earlier in his career, the 2024/25 season finally showcased the best of his dribbling, creativity, and ability to decide matches under pressure.
Source: Getty Images
Behind Dembele sits Lamine Yamal, who missed out on Barcelona's recent Champions League victory at Newcastle United.
The 18-year-old contributed 18 goals and 125 assists in all competitions in 2024/25, becoming one of the reliable creative avenues of Hansi Flick's attack.
His composure on the ball, vision, and knack for producing moments of magic have already drawn comparisons with Barcelona greats of the past.
Although still a teenager, his performances in both domestic and European football have made him one of the most exciting prospects in the world. A top-three Ballon d’Or finish at his age would be historic.
Organisers inform Dembele he's won Ballon d'Or
In an earlier report, YEN.com.gh highlighted claims from a popular football account on X alleging that organisers had already informed Ousmane Dembélé he would be crowned the 2025 Ballon d’Or winner.
The speculation created a stir among fans worldwide, with many debating whether the leak was genuine or simply part of the usual pre-award buzz.
Source: YEN.com.gh
