You have to judge from that — Zlatan Ibrahimovic names rightful winner of Ballon d'Or over Dembele

Swedish football legend Zlatan Ibrahimovic believes that Lamine Yamal should have won the Ballon d'Or ahead of the eventual winner, Ousmane Dembele, citing the Spain international’s superior individual performance level. 

The 2025 Ballon d'Or came down to a race between Dembélé and Lamine Yamal. Dembélé ultimately took home the prize after collecting 1,380 points, finishing just ahead of Yamal’s 1,059. 

The PSG winger had enjoyed the best season of his career, inspiring his club to a Champions League title and a domestic double while playing some of the most consistent and decisive football of his career. 

Yamal, though, pushed him all the way. The 17-year-old was Barcelona’s brightest spark throughout the campaign, helping them to a domestic treble.  

Yamal may have missed out on the main award, but he comfortably claimed the Kopa Trophy as the world’s best under-21 player,  and, in the eyes of many, including Zlatan, he should have won it all. 

The former AC Milan forward appeared at the Trento Sports Festival recently when he was asked about the Ballon d'Or. He has the following to say: “You have to judge the player who made the difference individually. For me, Yamal did.”