Lamine Yamal and Ousmane Dembele are at the forefront of speculation for the 2025 Ballon d’Or, a prestigious accolade that rewards the top football talents globally. Both players showcased remarkable performances for their respective clubs—FC Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain (PSG)—during the previous season, contributing significantly to their teams with goals and assists in both domestic leagues and European competitions.
Gerard Pique, a Barcelona legend, provides an interesting perspective since he shares a history with both athletes. Having played alongside Dembele while witnessing Yamal’s rise through the youth ranks at the Catalan club, Pique has developed a unique appreciation for both players. In a recent interview with Sport.es, he expressed his admiration for each of them, emphasizing their character as well as their footballing abilities.
Pique stated, “I had the opportunity to share a dressing room with Ousmane and Lamine Yamal. They’re both incredible people.” He reflected on the close bond he formed with Dembele, describing him as “like a brother,” while noting that Yamal has a unique quality that sets him apart. Pique shared his preference for Yamal, indicating, “I would prefer Lamine Yamal to win because he’s at Barcelona and also involved in the King’s League,” highlighting Yamal’s contributions beyond traditional football. The King’s League, a seven-a-side tournament founded by Pique, has garnered considerable attention and underscores Yamal’s engagement with the sport in a broader sense. Nevertheless, Pique reiterated his fondness for Dembele, suggesting that he would also celebrate if the PSG star were to come out on top.
As the race for the Ballon d’Or intensifies, current betting odds list the leading contenders as Dembele, Yamal, Portuguese midfielder Vitinha, Egyptian forward Mohamed Salah, and French superstar Kylian Mbappe. The ongoing discourse surrounding the award is further colored by comments from none other than Cristiano Ronaldo, a five-time Ballon d’Or winner himself. He articulated his belief that the award should honor players on teams that have secured major trophies, specifically highlighting the UEFA Champions League. He stated, “In my opinion, whoever wins it should be on a team that has won trophies,” underscoring the importance of success at the most elite levels of competition in determining the recipient of this coveted prize.
When comparing the two talents directly—Yamal and Dembele—one can observe their differing statistics from the previous season. While Dembele may not have scored in the final match of the Champions League, his overall tally was impressive, standing at 33 goals and 13 assists across all competitions. On the other hand, Yamal, despite his youth and relatively shorter experience at the senior level, made his mark with 18 goals and an impressive 21 assists, illustrating his ability to impact games significantly.
Looking ahead, both players are poised to continue their campaigns as they prepare to face Botafogo and the Seattle Sounders in their upcoming fixtures. As anticipation builds for the next stages of the Premier League and Champions League, fans can catch live broadcasts of these matches on platforms like TNT Sports and discovery+.
In conclusion, Yamal and Dembele represent the future of football, with both displaying extraordinary talent that could see either secure the admiration of players and fans alike through the Ballon d’Or. Each player’s journey reflects a commitment to excellence in the beautiful game, making the upcoming award highly competitive and eagerly anticipated.
