"Balague suggests that Ousmane Dembele's performance in a potential final could solidify his case for the Ballon d'Or. He feels Dembele deserves a universal recognition, emphasizing on a standout night in such a crucial match."

The Biggest Showdown in European Club Football:

The Champions League final is the most significant game on the calendar for European club football. Over the years, this epic event has garnered elevated importance, often serving as a decisive factor in the awarding of the Ballon d'Or that year.

Take, for instance, Vinicius Junior's goal against Borussia Dortmund last year at Wembley. Although he didn't ultimately take home the illustrious prize, his mesmerizing performance in the final catapulted him into the limelight, emphasizing the clout of a stellar Champions League outing.

Dembele's Unforgettable Moment

Fast-forward to 2019, when Ousmane Dembele led a Barcelona counterattack in the final minute against Liverpool at the Camp Nou. With Barcelona comfortably ahead in the first leg of their Champions League semi-final tie, a neat one-two with Lionel Messi on the edge of the Liverpool box left Dembele with the perfect opportunity to seal Barcelona's win and all but secure a place in the final in Madrid.

However, it was not meant to be. Dembele's scuffed shot was gathered by Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson, and the results at Anfield a week later left many doubting whether Dembele could ever challenge for individual accolades like the Ballon d'Or. But, a standout performance in a Champions League final could undoubtedly sway things in his favor, argues respected journalist Guillem Balague.

The Road to Ballon d'Or

Balague believes that this year's Champions League final could be the stage that cements Dembele's undeniable talent and merits the Ballon d'Or for the French phenomenon. Speaking with our website, Balague said, "This could be the final or the night where everyone agrees that Ousmane Dembele has to be the Ballon d'Or winner."

He continues, "The way he's grown into filling the gap left by Mbappé, how Luis Enrique told him at the beginning of the season to 'just be selfish, just shoot when you have the opportunity, don't think of a pass, just go for it, and double figures will come.' Not only have they come, his assistant coaches put the word Ballon d'Or in his ear, and he's believed that he can get to that level, and he has."

The predictions are clear: Dembele, along with Raphinha and Lamine Yamal, are the top contenders for the Ballon d'Or. With his impressive tally of 33 goals across all competitions (a staggering 27 more than his first season), Dembele has already been recognized as the Ligue 1 Player of the Year and the division's top scorer. If he delivers another standout performance in the Champions League final, the Ballon d'Or could very well be in his hands.

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For more information on Guillem Balague's work, visit Blueprintx.co.uk, where you can find his book "Rise of the Villans: Inside Unai Emery's Aston Villa Revolution." During the Champions League season, Balague has been a part of CBS Sports' innovative coverage, alongside Thierry Henry, Jamie Carragher, Micah Richards, and Kate Scott, providing captivating commentary on the tournament.

A Season to Remember

Both Inter Milan and Barcelona's encounters this season have been the highlights of the Champions League. The thrilling back-and-forth battles between two of Europe's best teams are the epitome of top-tier football, and the Champions League final will undoubtedly aim to surpass the excellence of those matches. Balague looked back on those games fondly, saying, "It was a great moment of realization that we know, especially this season, what the show means to the players."

Dembele's potentially stellar performance in the upcoming Champions League final could propel him towards the Ballon d'Or, following in the footsteps of players like Vinicius Junior who garnered attention with a mesmerizing Champions League outing. The Champions League, recognized as the pinnacle of European club football, offers the opportunity for contenders like Dembele, Raphinha, and Lamine Yamal to cement their talent and vie for the prestigious Ballon d'Or.

"Balague suggests that Ousmane Dembele's performance in a potential final could solidify his case for the Ballon d'Or. He feels Dembele deserves a universal recognition, emphasizing on a standout night in such a crucial match."