- Ousmane Dembele thrived in a new role last season, delivering key goals for Paris Saint-Germain and showcasing his versatility
- FC Barcelona’s prodigy Lamine Yamal poses the strongest challenge to the French attacker in this year’s Ballon d’Or race
- The former Borussia Dortmund winger is aiming to make individual history after a historic 2024/25 season with PSG
The Ballon d’Or has long been the ultimate individual accolade in world football, and while the debate around who should take home the prestigious award each year is fierce, Ousmane Dembele’s claim to the 2025 Ballon d’Or is undeniable.
The Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) winger has had a sensational season in 2024/25, and here are three compelling reasons why he deserves to be crowned the world’s best player.
Source: Getty Images
1. Dembele’s stats in the 2024/25 season
Ousmane Dembele’s individual statistics from the 2024/25 season have been nothing short of outstanding. According to Transfermarkt, over 53 appearances across all competitions, he netted 35 goals and registered 16 assists.
His offensive output was crucial to PSG’s success, and his ability to find the back of the net, as well as create chances for his teammates, solidified his role as the team’s attacking cornerstone.
The above statistics reflect Dembele’s ability to score and his all-around game: linking play, pressuring defenders, and constantly providing options in attack.
2. Quadruple victory with PSG
Dembele has been an integral part of PSG’s historic quadruple-winning campaign in 2024/25, which included the Ligue 1 title, the Coupe de France, the French Super Cup, and, most notably, the UEFA Champions League.
Winning a quadruple is an extraordinary achievement, and Dembele’s contributions in each of these competitions cannot be overlooked. He played a decisive role in PSG’s domestic dominance, contributing 21 league goals to help his team secure league.
Winning the Champions League, particularly with such a high level of performance, gives Dembele a significant edge over other candidates, like Lamine Yamal, who may have shown promise but hasn’t won the same level of team success.
The combination of both individual brilliance and collective triumph makes Dembele a prime contender for the Ballon d’Or.
Source: Getty Images
3. Mastering the false 9 role
One of the most impressive aspects of Dembele’s 2024/25 campaign was his adaptability and excellence in a role that he had not traditionally played: the false 9.
As PSG’s primary forward, Dembele was tasked with leading the attack in a system that was a departure from his usual wide-play style. According to Transfermarkt, last season, the ex-Barcelona winger scored 21 goals as a center-forward and 12 operating from the right-wing.
The false 9 role requires a unique set of skills. Dembele embraced the challenge and delivered, contributing both goals and assists while drawing defenders out of position to create space for his teammates.
Why Yamal deserves to win Ballon d’Or
YEN.com.gh earlier featured eight reasons FC Barcelona youngster Lamine Yamal makes a strong case for this year’s Ballon d’Or.
The 18-year-old is looking to become the first Barcelona player to win the top football prize after Lionel Messi left the Spanish giants.
Source: YEN.com.gh
