'A worthy Ballon d'Or winner' - Ousmane Dembele hailed for finally claiming biggest individual award in football but still faces criticism after beating Lamine Yamal

Dembele has been named as the 2025 Ballon d'Or winner ahead of his former Barcelona team-mate Lamine Yamal. The Frenchman led the odds to be named as the winner of the prized accolade after his fantastic performances for the French national team and Paris Saint-Germain, who won four trophies last season, and the UEFA Super Cup earlier this season. Fans are pleased for the once injury-ridden winger, however, a few still claim that Yamal outplayed Dembele over the course of the season.

@CFC_Janty wrote on X: "No football fan will pass without liking this. Dembele, finally a worthy Ballon d'Or winner."

@10blended joked: "Dembele gave Mbappe a 10 year headstart and still won a Ballon D‘or before him."

@EllisPrivv felt Yamal was hard done by and wrote: "I just feel like the Champions League deciding who the winner of the Ballon d’Or this season is pathetic. Because you can’t wholeheartedly think Dembele performed better than Yamal last season. Yamal’s performances over the two legs against Inter were all timer performances."

@InvertTheWing countered: "Congratulations, Ousmane Dembele.The fact that it was even a debate is RIDICULOUS. Most manufactured race I have ever seen."

@UTDTrey concluded: "Let it be known that Barcelona sold Dembele only for him to trash them 4-1 in Camp Nou, win the TREBLE, the Champions League and now the Ballon d’Or. Sweet revenge."

Dembele’s 2024/25 season was defined by big-game impact and silverware. He starred in the Champions League with eight goals and six assists in 15 matches, driving PSG to the title and winning Player of the Season. Domestically, he finished as Ligue 1’s joint top scorer with 21 goals while also delivering in the Coupe de France and Trophee des Champions, rounding off a year of decisive contributions.

Yamal, meanwhile, was Barcelona’s creative force in La Liga. He recorded nine goals and 13 assists in 31 matches, finishing as the league’s top provider while completing 138 dribbles - the most in Europe. His influence powered Barca to the league, Copa del Rey, and Supercopa, and he also made Champions League history as the youngest player to score and assist in the same knockout tie against Benfica.

It was all hugs and praises between Yamal and Dembele at the Ballon d'Or gala; however, their rivalry will see them come head-to-head next month when Barcelona host Paris Saint-Germain in the second gameweek of the Champions League league stage. However, the presence of both stars is currently uncertain as both are dealing with their respective injuries, and will face a test against time to be fit for the clash on October 1.