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The Ballon d'Or debate between Lamine Yamal and Ousmane Dembele shows no sign of slowing down
The Ballon d’Or debate is now a two-horse race between Paris Saint-Germain’s Ousmane Dembele and Barcelona’s Lamine Yamal.
But Kylian Mbappe, one of football’s biggest stars, who won the 2018 World Cup with France, has made it clear which way he’s voting.
Mbappe backs Dembele to win Ballon d’Or
Ahead of France’s UEFA Nations League third-place match against Germany, Mbappe was asked who should win the 2025 Ballon d’Or, and he immediately said, “I would give the Ballon d’Or to Ousmane Dembele.”
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Pressed further, the France captain told reporters. “Would I vote for Dembele? Yes. Do I really need to explain?”
Dembele just played a starring role in delivering PSG their first-ever Champions League title, alongside three domestic titles, earning him the respect of his national team captain.
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While Lamine Yamal may have stolen headlines with his two goals in Spain’s 5–4 thriller over France, Mbappe values silverware, and Dembele’s end-of-season heroics with PSG under Luis Enrique have clearly left a lasting impression.
Konate joins the chorus for Dembele
Mbappe isn’t the only one waving the Dembele flag. Liverpool’s Ibrahima Konate also jumped to his teammate’s defence before France’s clash with Spain.
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Despite Konate’s Liverpool teammate, Mohamed Salah, also being in the running, when the French defender was asked about the Ballon d’Or, he said, “Nobody talks about Ousmane Dembele… he has delivered an exceptional season.”
While other names dominate headlines, Konate believes Dembele has been the true standout this season.
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The winger’s two assists in the Champions League final were a perfect end to a remarkable campaign, and with support from within the French camp growing louder, the narrative might be shifting towards the Paris Saint-Germain star.
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