Ousmane Dembele has been crowned Ballon d’Or winner for 2025, capping off a stellar season with Paris Saint-Germain. But the outcome has drawn criticism, with some questioning whether Barcelona teenager Lamine Yamal was unfairly overlooked.
Yamal, who finished second after a breakout campaign with Barcelona, received strong backing from his father, Mounir Nasraoui, who told El Chiringuito that “something very strange” had happened. “I wouldn’t call it a robbery, but it feels like a moral injustice. For me, Lamine is by far the best player in the world, without rival,” he said.
France Football defends vote
Responding to the criticism, France Football editor-in-chief Vincent Garcia insisted Dembele’s win was clear-cut. He said the PSG forward claimed the award “quite comfortably,” with worldwide voting heavily in his favour. A full breakdown of ballots will be released later this week.
Emotional moment for Dembele
Dembele, who played a decisive role in PSG’s historic Champions League triumph, received the trophy from Brazilian legend Ronaldinho. Fighting back tears, he dedicated the award to his teammates and family.
“This is not just an individual trophy; it belongs to the whole team,” Dembele said. “We won almost everything together, and I couldn’t have done this without them.”
Rivalry takes shape
At just 18 years old, Yamal’s rise has marked him as one of football’s brightest prospects. Many expect him to be a future Ballon d’Or favourite, setting up a fascinating rivalry with Dembele in the years ahead.
