Lamine Yamal’s father has branded Ousmane Dembele’s Ballon d’Or win the “greatest moral harm” in football, with the Paris Saint-Germain forward walking away with a prestigious Golden Ball in 2025. Barcelona wonderkid Yamal had to settle for a runner-up finish despite those in Catalunya being of the opinion that the 18-year-old is undoubtedly “the best player in the world”.
Barcelona wonderkid Lamine Yamal was quick to congratulate Ousmane Dembele after seeing the Paris Saint-Germain star beat him to the 2025 Ballon d’Or award. The teenager finished second in the rankings but didn’t go home empty-handed as he won the Kopa Award for a second year running, and his father is confident that it will be a different story next year.
The Ballon d'Or. Love it or loathe it, it's the award every footballer in the world dreams of one day winning. And now, after a memorable 2024-25 campaign, the winner of the 2025 Golden Ball has been announced: Ousmane Dembele.
Paris Saint-Germain forward Ousmane Dembele has beaten off competition from Lamine Yamal to win the 2025 Ballon d’Or. The France international was crowned the best male player in the world at a ceremony in Paris on Monday night after an incredible season where he won the quadruple with Luis Enrique’s side and delivered the club a first ever Champions League title.
It is the year 2025 and Ousmane Dembele is a Ballon d'Or winner. It's a reality that might require a little getting used to, as the Paris Saint-Germain superstar's path to this point has been far from smooth, but it is a fitting end point nonetheless.
Lamine Yamal has been named the world’s best young player for the second year running after landing the Kopa Trophy at the Ballon d’Or awards in Paris. The teen sensation was instrumental in Barcelona's success, winning the La Liga title, the Copa del Rey, and the Spanish Super Cup in the 2024-25 season. And he played a starring role in Spain’s triumphant run to glory at last year’s European Championship.
Barcelona have spent more than two seasons away from Camp Nou due to a renovation project that has been beset by delays, but a phased re-opening of the iconic venue is getting closer to becoming reality. The Blaugrana await permission from the city council, with Joan Laporta claiming that everything else is now in place for the team's return.
Ferran Torres has managed 31 goals and assists for Barcelona since the start of last season and is considered a valuable member of Hansi Flick's squad. But the former Manchester City star's long-term future remains up in the air due to the lack of any progress or a proactive approach to extend his contract beyond its current expiry.
With the Ballon d'Or ceremony just hours away, a former winner has given his verdict on the two frontrunners. He revealed his vote would go to Barcelona's Lamine Yamal for his "unpredictable" style, but concedes that Ousmane Dembele's Champions League triumph with Paris Saint-Germain might "tip the scales" in his favour.
After an outstanding recent run of form for England and Barcelona, Marcus Rashford was brought crashing back down to earth by Hansi Flick at the weekend. The Barcelona coach imposes strict standards for the players in his squad to adhere to at all times and there are absolutely no exceptions to those rules.
After two weeks of conservative physical therapy, Barcelona have decided that Gavi will undergo a minor arthroscopic procedure to return to the pitch as soon as possible. The medical examination will be performed under the supervision of the club's medical staff. This comes after Fermin Lopez also suffered an injury in Barca's La Liga fixture against Getafe, which has now sidelined for a couple of weeks.
Fermin Lopez left the field looking visibly distraught after Barcelona's league win against Getafe. The midfielder dropped to the pitch, holding his groin and the back of his leg, before leaving the field as coach Hansi Flick hugged him. The club have now received the test results, and the 20-year-old is slated to be sidelined for around three weeks.
Ex-Barcelona president Sandro Rosell has vehemently defended the club in the Negreira case, asserting former refereeing chiefs had no influence over the club's results due to their biases favoured Real Madrid. With Rosell challenging critics to review matches and Real Madrid escalating complaints to FIFA, Spanish football faces a high-stakes debate over integrity, influence and accountability.
GOAL runs the rule over the British players earning a living away from their homeland, with plenty more stars deciding to leave the comforts of Great Britain in search of a better footballing life elsewhere. The Premier League is still obviously one of the world's most entertaining divisions and the Championship can prove fantastic for development, but there are more options out there.
Getafe coach Jose Bordalas has fired back at Ferran Torres after the Barcelona forward criticised his team's style following a 3-0 defeat. Bordalas labelled the two-goal hero's comments as 'disrespectful', pointing to the massive financial gap between the clubs and stating, "the difference is a billion euros!"
Barcelona wonderkid Lamine Yamal has been named “Golden Ball” winner by CIES Football Observatory, with Real Madrid superstar Kylian Mbappe claiming the runner-up spot. There is no place in the top five for Paris Saint-Germain forward Ousmane Dembele despite the World Cup-winning France international being favourite to land the coveted Ballon d’Or in 2025.
Robert Lewandowski asked to leave Bayern Munich "every year" as he grew frustrated with the lack of Champions League success with the German club, according to Karl-Heinz Rummenigge. The former Bayern CEO reveals, Lewandowski's desire to win the European crown had him itching for a move away, before the club finally delivered on his objective.
Barcelona midfielder Fermin Lopez was in visible pain as he lay down after the final whistle of his side's 3-0 win against Getafe on Sunday, prompting the medical team to check on him. Lopez was seen holding his leg and left the pitch crying as coach Hansi Flick consoled him. The club confirmed they are soon going to conduct tests.
Barcelona legend Ronaldinho will reportedly give out the 2025 Ballon d'Or in Paris on Monday night as Ousmane Dembele and Lamine Yamal vie for football's most prestigious individual award. Dembele is being tipped as the favourite to win the Golden Ball after playing a key role in Paris Saint-Germain's historic treble success last season.
If the voting process for the Ballon d'Or were truly fair, Lionel Messi would have 14 Golden Balls to his name instead of eight. The Barcelona legend was by far the best footballer in the world between 2008 and 2021, but had to concede defeat to Cristiano Ronaldo five times, and Luka Modric once, as the Real Madrid duo were rewarded for spearheading their team's unprecedented success in the Champions League.
Ferran Torres showed he can deliver when Robert Lewandowski doesn't and Barcelona's midweek Champions League hero Marcus Rashford continued his good form as Getafe were put to the sword. Torres' brace and Dani Olmo's strike, from Rashford's assist, ensured that the Blaugrana kept the pressure on bitter rivals Real Madrid at the top of La Liga with a 3-0 win.
Sergio Busquets is reportedly set to call time on his legendary career at the end of Inter Miami’s 2025 Major League Soccer campaign. The 37-year-old midfielder, who has lifted 32 trophies with Barcelona and earned 143 Spain caps, has decided to hang up his boots two years after following Lionel Messi to Inter Miami.
Marcus Rashford has been dropped for Barcelona's La Liga clash with Getafe after reportedly turning up late to the team's Sunday morning meeting. The Manchester United loanee scored a brilliant brace for the Blaugrana in their 2-1 Champions League win over Newcastle United in midweek but this indiscretion left him having to make do with a substitute role against Getafe.
Barcelona have shared previously unseen footage of their stadium redevelopment, with impressive progress appearing to have been made. The project, which is giving Camp Nou a serious facelift, has been running behind schedule. It has, however, been revealed that changing rooms, benches and VIP areas are in, with an emotional homecoming seemingly not far away.
Barcelona’s teenage sensation Lamine Yamal has been praised for his unique mentality and natural brilliance by former La Masia talent Keita Balde. The ex-Barca winger likened Yamal’s style of play to a carefree kickabout with friends, highlighting the youngster’s spontaneity and joy on the pitch. The 18-year-old is being hailed as one of world football’s best players ahead of the 2025 Ballon d'Or ceremony.