Ballon d'Or betrayal - Barca legend chooses Dembele

Ousmane Dembele is emerging as a frontrunner for the Ballon d’Or following a sensational 2024-25 campaign with PSG. The French winger spearheaded their attack, playing a pivotal role in guiding the club to a historic treble.

Early discussions about the award have focused on Dembele and Barcelona’s young prodigy Lamine Yamal. Dembele delivered eye-catching stats, netting 35 goals and providing 16 assists in 53 appearances, while driving PSG to Champions League glory alongside domestic supremacy.

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Yamal, meanwhile, made a huge impact for Barcelona, recording 18 goals and 25 assists over 55 matches. His contributions were instrumental in clinching La Liga, the Copa del Rey, and the Supercopa de Espana, firmly putting him in the Ballon d’Or conversation.

As the ceremony approaches, fellow professionals have weighed in. Former Barcelona and now Inter Miami midfielder Sergio Busquets offered his perspective:

"I have teammates at Barca who would also deserve to win it but I hope Dembele wins the Ballon d’Or," Busquets said. "He’s had a great season & has been more consistent. We know the player he is, the differences he makes, what he can do, and hopefully, he can win Ballon d’Or."

Yet, not everyone is on board with Dembele. Many pundits are backing Yamal, hailed as the best player in the world at just 18. Barcelona’s No. 10 also earned praise from Jules Kounde, who highlighted his team-first mentality:

"Lamine Yamal for the Ballon d’Or? You’re putting me in a tricky situation, but I think he deserves it," Kounde said. "I have a very good relationship with him. He’s a team player, he works a lot for the team. He needs energy to attack, and I understand him perfectly."

With two standout performers at opposite ends of their careers, the Ballon d’Or debate promises to be as thrilling as the season that produced it.