PSG chief says 'there is a problem' with Ballon d'Or if Ousmane Dembele does not beat Barcelona wonderkid Lamine Yamal to prestigious award

PSG star Dembele is the favourite to win this year's Ballon d'Or after leading his side to Champions League, Ligue 1, and Coupe de France glory last season. Barcelona's Lamine Yamal is also in the running to claim the 2025 Golden Ball but Al-Khelaifi insisted the 28-year-old deserves this prestigious accolade.

Al-Khelaifi told DAZN: "Ousmane’s season is magnificent. There is no doubt that he won’t win the Ballon d’Or. If he doesn’t win it, there is a problem with the Ballon d’Or. He has done everything."

Dembele himself added: "I’m thinking about [the Ballon d’Or]. I know that, with the season that I have had, I am not far [from the Ballon d’Or], but I am focused on the objectives, before thinking about myself."

Ex-Barcelona man Dembele has had the season of his life, scoring 33 goals and adding 15 assists in 49 matches in all competitions. He would be a worthy winner but last year, Real Madrid's Vinicius Junior was tipped to win the Ballon d'Or, only to be pipped by Manchester City's Rodri in a surprise pick. So it is not a given that he wins the award.

Former Rennes and Borussia Dortmund star Dembele will not have too long to wait to find out if he will be crowned the world's best player in 2025, with the prestigious ceremony taking place in Paris on September 22.