Assisting Real Madrid in navigating potential strategies to aid FC Barcelona's Lamine Yamal.
In a highly anticipated race for the Ballon d'Or, Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) forward Ousmane Dembélé has taken the lead over FC Barcelona's wonderkid Lamine Yamal. Dembélé's exceptional performance during the 2024/2025 season has put him in a strong position to win soccer's highest individual accolade for a male player.
Dembélé, who joined PSG from FC Barcelona in the summer of 2023, had a stellar season, scoring an impressive 33 goals and providing 15 assists in 49 appearances. His contribution was particularly noteworthy in the UEFA Champions League, where he was involved in 14 goal-scoring opportunities, helping PSG clinch the trophy and complete a treble-winning season.
In contrast, Yamal, who made his debut for Barcelona as a 15-year-old against Real Betis in the spring of 2023, tallied 18 goals and 25 assists during the same period. However, Barcelona's semi-final exit from the Champions League has worked against Yamal’s bid for the award.
The transformation of Dembélé from a winger to a central striker has also contributed to his increased goal-scoring efficiency. He expressed a strong mentality and confidence in his new role, often aiming to score multiple goals in every match.
PSG chairman Nasser Al-Khelaïfi has strongly advocated for Dembélé, emphasizing his critical role in PSG’s success and suggesting that if Dembélé does not win, there is a problem with the award's judgment.
Here's a comparison of the two players' statistics and team achievements:
| Player | Goals (2024/25) | Assists (2024/25) | Team Achievement | Ballon d'Or Influence | |------------------|-----------------|-------------------|----------------------------|---------------------------------------| | Ousmane Dembélé | 33 | 15 | PSG - Treble, Champions League Winner | Strong favorite due to team success and individual stats[1][2][3][4] | | Lamine Yamal | 18 | 25 | Barcelona - Champions League Semi-finalist | High contender, but team performance is a drawback compared to Dembélé[1] |
While Yamal's impressive performance cannot be ignored, Dembélé’s remarkable goal-scoring, assists, and contribution to PSG’s treble, especially the Champions League win, have made him a leading candidate for the 2025 Ballon d'Or. The race, however, is not a one-horse race for Lamine Yamal, despite his strong performance.
The Ballon d'Or ceremony is scheduled to take place in Paris on September 22nd. It remains to be seen whether Dembélé will take home the prestigious award or if Yamal will mount a comeback.
[1] Source: Various media reports [2] Source: PSG official website [3] Source: UEFA official website [4] Source: OptaJoe statistics
In the realm of sports, both Ousmane Dembélé and Lamine Yamal have displayed remarkable talent in the realm of football, particularly in the European leagues like Laliga and Champions League. Dembélé, now with Paris Saint-Germain, and Yamal, a prodigy of FC Barcelona, have been compared in the race for this year's Ballon d'Or. After an impressive 33 goals and 15 assists in 49 appearances for PSG, Dembélé has taken the lead, contributing significantly to PSG's treble, including their Champions League win. Despite Yamal's impressive performance with 18 goals and 25 assists for Barcelona, his team's semi-final exit in the Champions League might affect his chances for the award. The final decision will be made at the Ballon d'Or ceremony in Paris on September 22nd, as both players continue to showcase their skills in the competitive world of football.
