Ousmane Dembélé: A Top Contender for the 2025 Ballon d'Or
Ousmane Dembélé emerges as a frontrunner for the 2025 Ballon d'Or after a remarkable season with PSG.
Key Points
- • Dembélé scored 35 goals and assisted 16 times in the 2024-2025 season.
- • He helped PSG win the UEFA Champions League and Ligue 1, among other trophies.
- • Luis Enrique highlights Dembélé's essential role and improved performance this season.
- • His attitude and leadership have notably transformed, aiding PSG's success.
Ousmane Dembélé of Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) has solidified his position as a leading candidate for the 2025 Ballon d'Or, propelled by an exceptional 2024-2025 season. Dembélé played an instrumental role in PSG's triumphs, contributing significantly to the club’s success as they clinched multiple trophies, including the UEFA Champions League and Ligue 1.
In an impressive statistical display, Dembélé scored 35 goals and provided 16 assists throughout the season, while also netting 2 goals in 7 appearances for the French national team. His remarkable performance positioned him as a strong contender as the Ballon d'Or nominations were announced on August 7.
Under the guidance of coach Luis Enrique, Dembélé's transformation into a more impactful player has been notable, particularly after transitioning to a false nine role. This shift has notably improved his scoring effectiveness, as he accumulated 27 goals in 35 matches from the start of 2025 alone—a significant leap from scoring just once the previous season. Enrique emphasized that a player's contributions to team success are paramount, which Dembélé exceeded by his crucial goals in key fixtures against teams like Manchester City and Liverpool in the Champions League, alongside impressive performances in the Club World Cup.
Beyond his impressive statistics, Dembélé has also undergone a positive change in attitude, demonstrating greater commitment on the field characterized by leadership and pressing capabilities. At 28 years old, he has matured into a pivotal figure within PSG, overcoming earlier criticisms regarding his work ethic. His extraordinary season culminated in securing four out of five available trophies, establishing a notable gap between him and his closest competitor, Barcelona's Lamine Yamal, who has not mirrored this level of success.
With the Ballon d'Or ceremony scheduled for September 22, Dembélé aims to make history as the sixth French player to receive the coveted award, with expectations high following an impressive campaign.