Lamine Yamal Breaks Silence After Losing Ballon d'Or to Ousmane Dembele

Lamine Yamal has spoken out and sent a message to Ousmane Dembele following the 2025 Ballon d'Or ceremony at the Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris on Monday evening.

Dembele became the first PSG player in history to win the Ballon d'Or for his performances at the French club, following 35 goals and 16 assists last season.

The Frenchman is believed to have won the vote comfortably ahead of Yamal, with his Parisian teammate Vitinha rounding out the top three.

"This is an award thanks to the collective. I want to thank all my teammates," Dembele said during his acceptance speech.

He added: "I want to thank my hometown Eure. Every time I get the chance I go back. The people in my neighbourhood helped me to this moment."

Ousmane Dembele poses with the Men’s Ballon d’Or trophy (Image: Getty)

Despite failing to become the youngest player ever to take home the award, Yamal didn't leave empty handed after securing back-to-back KOPA trophies.

The 18-year-old has since taken to social media to send a message to Dembele, having previously called out the Frenchman before their clash in the Nations League semi finals.

Yamal wrote on Instagram: “God’s plan is perfect, you have to climb to get to the top. Happy for the Kopa Trophy x2 and congratulations to Dembele for the award and his great season."

During his acceptance speech for the KOPA trophy ahead of the Ballon d'Or result, Yamal admitted he wasn't sure if he was ready to take crown.

“I don’t know if I’m ready for the big trophy! Maybe we’ll see each other later," he joked.

Yamal's second-place finish means he is the youngest player in history to finish as runner-up, beating Ronaldo Nazario who was 20 following his nomination in 1996.

The Spaniard wasn't the only player from the Catalan club to feature in the top ten, with Raphinha coming in fifth, a result that did not please his international teammate Neymar Jr.

Lamine Yamal

The 2025 Men's Ballon d'Or top 10

Ousmane Dembélé (PSG)

Lamine Yamal (BAR)

Vitinha (PSG)

Mohamed Salah (LIV)

Raphinha (BAR)

Achraf Hakimi (PSG)

Kylian Mbappé (RMA)

Cole Palmer (CHE)

Gianluigi Donnarumma (PSG)

Nuno Mendes (PSG)