Full Breakdown
Ousmane Dembélé Wins 2025 Ballon d'Or Amid Controversy
9/27/2025, 8:40:09 AM
Overview of the 2025 Ballon d'Or Ceremony
Ousmane Dembélé of Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) was awarded the 2025 Ballon d'Or, triumphing over Barcelona's Lamine Yamal by a significant margin. The ceremony took place at the Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris, where Dembélé received 1,380 points, outpacing Yamal, who garnered 1,059 points. This victory marks Dembélé's first Ballon d'Or win and makes him the sixth Frenchman to achieve this honor.
Dembélé's Stellar Season
Dembélé's performance during the 2024-25 season was pivotal in securing the award. He contributed 35 goals and 16 assists across 53 matches, leading PSG to a historic quadruple, including their first UEFA Champions League title. His scoring prowess and playmaking abilities were instrumental in PSG's success, which also included victories in Ligue 1 and the Coupe de France.
Close Competition and Voting Breakdown
The voting process for the Ballon d'Or involved 100 journalists from FIFA-ranked countries, who ranked their top ten players. Dembélé received 73 first-place votes, significantly more than Yamal's 11. Vitinha from PSG finished third with 703 points, while Mohamed Salah of Liverpool came fourth with 657 points. The voting system awards points based on the rank assigned by each journalist, with first-place votes carrying the most weight.
Criticism and Controversy
Despite Dembélé's accolades, his win has sparked debate. A study by the CIES Football Observatory suggested that Dembélé's statistical performance did not merit the award, ranking him lower than several other players based on various performance metrics. Critics argue that Yamal's contributions, which included 18 goals and 25 assists, should have earned him the title, with Yamal's father expressing strong sentiments about the perceived injustice of the outcome.
Official Statements and Reactions
In his acceptance speech, Dembélé expressed gratitude towards PSG's president, Nasser Al-Khelaifi, and his teammates, stating, "This individual trophy is one the team has won collectively." Yamal, despite his disappointment, congratulated Dembélé, and his manager, Hansi Flick, emphasized Yamal's potential for future success.
What's Next for Dembélé and Yamal
Looking ahead, both players are seen as strong contenders for the next Ballon d'Or, especially with the upcoming World Cup in 2026. Yamal's father has already declared, "Next year is ours," indicating confidence in his son's abilities to claim the award in the future. Meanwhile, Dembélé faces the challenge of maintaining his performance level to defend his title.
Conclusion
Ousmane Dembélé's victory at the 2025 Ballon d'Or highlights both his remarkable achievements and the ongoing debates surrounding the award's selection process. As football fans look forward to the next season, the rivalry between Dembélé and Yamal is expected to intensify, setting the stage for an exciting future in the sport.
