- A father’s fury, a superstar’s triumph, and a storm of controversy at football’s biggest awards night
- The 2025 Ballon d’Or has sparked shockwaves, with claims of injustice and whispers of something unusual behind the outcome
- As one Barcelona wonderkid settled for the Kopa Trophy, another French forward cemented his place in history
Mounir Nasraoui, father of rising Barcelona star Lamine Yamal, was visibly disappointed after his son missed out on the 2025 Ballon d’Or, awarded instead to Ousmane Dembélé on Monday night.
Nasraoui believes something unusual influenced the outcome, insisting his 18-year-old son is already the world’s top talent.
Source: Getty Images
Attending the ceremony at Paris’s Théâtre du Châtelet alongside Lamine and the family, Nasraoui had anticipated seeing his son crowned with football’s most prestigious individual award.
But it was Dembélé who took home the honor after a remarkable season with PSG, highlighted by a Champions League victory, 35 goals, and 16 assists.
After the event, Nasraoui briefly addressed the press on the red carpet, offering an optimistic message that his son would clinch the accolade in 2026.
However, he was more candid in a phone interview with El Chiringuito, expressing his disbelief over the voters’ decision.
“I wouldn’t call it theft, but it’s moral harm to a human being. Lamine Yamal is the best player in the world—by far. Not just because he’s my son, but because he truly has no rival. Something very strange happened tonight. Next year, he’ll claim the Spanish Ballon d’Or.”
Watch the video below.
Finding solace in Yamal’s Kopa Trophy
Despite the disappointment, Dembele’s win was decisive. Early reports confirmed that the PSG forward dominated the votes from 100 journalists across the top FIFA nations.
As cited by RMC Sport, L’Équipe’s editor-in-chief explained on TV that Ousmane won by a wide margin, adding that the PSG attacker clearly had the judges’ backing and carried authority as a Ballon d’Or contender.
Meanwhile, Yamal accepted the outcome gracefully, hugging Dembele after the ceremony.
He did, however, walk away with the Kopa Trophy for Best Young Player for the second year running, edging out Frenchman Désiré Doué, according to Barcelona’s official website.
“I won’t forget my teammates; everyone helped me reach this moment. I’ll keep working to win more titles in the future,” Yamal said, though his father’s sense of injustice remained.
Source: Getty Images
Fans react as Dembele wins Ballon d’Or 2025
Football fans around the world erupted on social media after Ousmane Dembele was officially crowned the 2025 Ballon d’Or winner.
The Paris Saint-Germain star’s triumph over Barcelona prodigy Lamine Yamal sparked a flood of congratulatory messages, emotional reactions, and heated debates, making Dembele the talk of the footballing world right now.
@Lexxi said:
”You deserve it. You were by fat the best player during the 2024/25 season – goals and trophies guaranteed.”
@MichelP commented:
”Fairness confirmed tonight. Justice done. Dembele not winning it would have been another proof that the Ballon d’Or is not credible anymore.”
@N4Su reacted:
”Dembélé is the Lazarus of football. Buried by the critics, forgotten by his own, but returned to life to shine. What a night.”
Why Lamine Yamal deserved the Ballon d’Or
In an earlier feature, YEN.com.gh explored the compelling arguments behind why Barcelona’s teenage sensation Lamine Yamal had a strong case for the 2025 Ballon d’Or.
The piece highlighted his dazzling performances, record-breaking milestones, and the influence he has already stamped on world football at just 18 years old.
Source: YEN.com.gh
Source: Yen.com.gh
