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On September 22, 2025, Paris witnessed a surprise twist in football’s grandest individual stage: Ousmane Dembélé lifted the Ballon d’Or. For the PSG forward, it was the peak of a career full of highs, lows, and constant questions. Yet the celebration was far from unanimous, instead, the award ignited a storm of debate across the football world.
Who Truly Deserved It?
Almost instantly, fans and pundits were divided. Was this the year of Dembélé, or should the honor have gone to teenage sensation Lamine Yamal?
Yamal’s dazzling season at Barcelona made him the fans’ darling, and many saw him as the face of football’s future. Dembélé, on the other hand, carried the weight of silverware, team impact, and Champions League glory on his side.
Beyond the Pitch: Image, Influence, and Votes
The Ballon d’Or has never been just about numbers. Influence, narrative, and global presence often tip the balance.
Supporters of Dembélé argue that his comeback story and decisive performances in key matches deserved recognition.
Critics claim popularity and PR power played too big a role, while questions about transparency in the voting process resurfaced yet again.
In today’s football, performance on the pitch is only half the story. The other half is about perception, spotlight, and how a player fits into the global football theater.
The Messi & Ronaldo Benchmark
Every Ballon d’Or debate inevitably circles back to the era of Messi and Ronaldo, who dominated the award for more than a decade. Compared to their staggering numbers and relentless dominance, Dembélé’s triumph feels different: it’s not about rewriting history books, but about narrative and timing.
Fans are asking: is this a shift into a new era of winners, where consistency matters less than the story a season tells?
The Beauty of Football: Debate Itself
For some, Dembélé’s journey, from setbacks and criticism to ultimate Gloria, makes him a worthy champion. For others, the award should have been a torch passed to Yamal, symbolizing the rise of a new generation.
At the end of the day, the Ballon d’Or is more than a golden trophy. It is a conversation starter, a reflection of how fans view the game, and a reminder that football’s greatest magic lies not just in goals or titles, but in the passion of endless debate.
