Lamine Yamal made his feelings clear about Ousmane Dembele’s Ballon d’Or chances, with the Frenchman the overwhelming favourite for the award.
Dembele’s role in PSG’s Champions League success, the Ligue 1 powerhouse lifting the trophy for the first time as they dismantled Inter in May, has propelled the France international to the position.
Yamal, who is another contender for the individual gong, boosted his chances for Ballon d’Or as he shone for Barcelona in their title triumph. And as Spain defeated France in the semi-finals of the UEFA Nations League earlier this summer, Yamal commented on the 'competition' with Dembele for the award.
“I always tell my mother that I try to give my best. The best thing is to speak on the field,” Yamal said in June.
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“That's what motivates me to play football; that's what makes me get up in the morning. Dembele is a great player, but we're in the final.”
Spain would go on to lose the UEFA Nations League final to Portugal, with Roberto Martinez overseeing glory with a 5-3 penalty shootout success. Yamal, though, did go on to add that he isn’t thinking about the Ballon d’Or and is instead focussing on winning more trophies for club and country.
Silverware the aim for Barcelona star
“I don't think about the Ballon d'Or; I think you'll end up badly if you only think about that. I think about winning,” Yamal stated earlier this summer.
“Imagine if I win the World Cup and the Champions League next year, then the Ballon d'Or will come by itself. But the most important thing is to enjoy football.”
Yamal enjoyed a superb season at club level, as the teenage sensation managed 13 assists and nine goals in Barcelona’s title winning campaign.
However, despite the 18-year-old’s exploits, compatriot and PSG boss Luis Enrique has thrown his backing behind Dembele for the 2025 Ballon d’Or.
Enrique backs PSG forward for award
“Everyone’s talking about the Ballon d’Or, I would give it to Ousmane Dembele,” Enrique said in the wake of PSG’s Champions League win.
“Just because of, if we think about how he defended today. He showed just what he was made of. He was a leader, he was humble, and he defended. Without a shadow of a doubt, he deserves this. Not just for the goals that he’s scored, but also for the pressing we saw. We’ve seen such a season from him, and he was exceptional.”
Dembele was essential as PSG lifted the Champions League in Munich as he scored eight goals and provided six assists, including two against Inter in the final, in Europe’s elite club competition.
The likes of Mohamed Salah and Raphinha have also been in contention for the Ballon d’Or this year, but it looks as though it’ll be a straight shoot-out between Dembele and Yamal for the 2025 award.
Topics: Lamine Yamal, Ousmane Dembele, Ballon d'Or, PSG, Barcelona, Football, Champions League
Ben McAleer