Dembélé's Record-Breaking Season: Deserving of the Ballon d'Or?
Ousmane Dembélé's incredible season has made him a strong contender for the Ballon d'Or. Discover why he's a top candidate for the prestigious award.
Ousmane Dembélé has earned immense respect for his outstanding contributions to Paris Saint-Germain, particularly in their historic...
Ousmane Dembélé is the clear favorite to win the Ballon d'Or, thanks to his instrumental role in Paris Saint-Germain's historic treble-winning campaign. He led the team to Champions League glory, scoring 35 goals and providing 16 assists across all competitions. This impressive performance has made him the frontrunner, with odds of 6/4 or 40% chance of winning.
Current Odds:
- Ousmane Dembélé: 6/4 (40% chance)
- Lamine Yamal: 7/2 (22.2% chance)
- Mohamed Salah: 9/1 (10% chance)
- Raphinha: 12/1 (around 8% chance)
Lamine Yamal, despite being only 18 years old, has also had an incredible season, leading Barcelona to La Liga and Copa del Rey titles. He scored 18 goals and assisted 25 times, showcasing his exceptional skill and maturity. However, his team's quarter-final exit in the Champions League might affect his chances.
Why Dembélé deserves the award:
Exceptional performance: Dembélé's stats and contributions to PSG's success make a strong case for him.
Trophies won: PSG's historic treble, including the Champions League, Ligue 1, and Coupe de France, demonstrates Dembélé's ability to perform under pressure.
Consistency: He has consistently delivered impressive performances throughout the season.
Given the current odds and performances, it seems challenging for anyone to stop Dembélé from winning the Ballon d'Or, but Lamine Yamal's talent and achievements keep the competition alive.
— Ousmane Dembélé (@dembouz) August 13, 2025
Evolving Perspectives on Team Dynamics
The importance of teamwork and behind-the-scenes efforts, which were crucial when Rodri was crowned, may have seemed less prominent by the end of May or beginning of June. However, opinions on this matter are subjective, and individuals are entitled to their own interpretations. As time has passed, new developments have shed light on the team's dynamics and performance.
PSG's Continued Impact
Despite not winning the Club World Cup, Paris Saint-Germain has continued to make waves in the football world. The team has shown remarkable resilience and adaptability, with players like Dembele playing a significant role in their success. Dembele's positive influence on the team has been evident, and his contributions have helped PSG maintain their competitive edge.
Shifting Focus
The passage of time allows for reevaluation and shifting perspectives. What may have seemed important or relevant at one point may no longer be as significant later on. As the football season progresses, teams like PSG must adapt and evolve to stay ahead of the competition. Their ability to do so will be crucial in determining their ultimate success.
Ousmane Dembélé has been instrumental in Paris Saint-Germain's success, showcasing his skills and stats. Despite being injured during the group stage, he returned for the latter stages, initially coming on as a substitute against Inter Miami and Bayern Munich. He then started against Real Madrid and Chelsea, maintaining the momentum from the second half of the season with crucial goals against Bayern and Real.
Dembélé's Recent Performance:
UEFA Super Cup Win: Dembélé played a key role in PSG's 2-2 win against Tottenham Hotspur in the UEFA Super Cup final, scoring in the penalty shootout and being named Man of the Match.
Goals and Assists: This season, Dembélé has scored 37 goals and provided 15 assists in 60 matches across all competitions, making him one of the top performers in Europe's top five leagues.
Luis Enrique's comment that PSG is “first and foremost a group” highlights the team's collective strength. However, Dembélé's individual brilliance sets him apart as a key player in the attack. His ability to change the course of a match with his “fearless dribbling, incisive passing, and composure” makes him a vital asset to the team.
Ousmane Dembélé's Record-Breaking Season
Ousmane Dembélé played a pivotal role in Paris Saint-Germain's historic season, helping the team achieve a first-ever quadruple in French football. His individual performances were instrumental in the team's success, showcasing his skill and adaptability on the pitch. Dembélé's contributions to PSG's triumphs have made him a key figure in the team's achievements.
A Turning Point?
A notable moment in Dembélé's season came when PSG manager Luis Enrique made the unexpected decision to leave him out of the starting lineup against Arsenal. Reflecting on this choice, Enrique stated, “The best thing I did with Dembele was not to play him against Arsenal, when everyone criticised me. That was my best decision this year.” This decision seemed to spark a change, potentially influencing Dembélé's subsequent performances and contributions to the team.
Impact on the Team
Dembélé's role in PSG's success extends beyond individual performances. His ability to work within the team's dynamics and support his teammates has been crucial. The team's historic quadruple win is a testament to the collective effort, with Dembélé being a key component of that success.
Before adding: “The rest is Ousmane Dembele's doing, with his teammates, his team, his qualities, his confidence, what he brings as a player. He did that on his own. On the other hand, the London event was an important decision.”
Ousmane Dembélé has been instrumental in Paris Saint-Germain's success, playing a pivotal role in the team's historic treble-winning campaign. Under Luis Enrique's management, Dembélé was repositioned as a false nine, allowing him to become a central threat and terrorize defenses in Ligue 1 and the UEFA Champions League. This tactical shift has enabled him to showcase his skills, including his exceptional dribbling and goal-scoring abilities.
Dembélé's Impact on PSG's Tactics
Pressing and Counter-Pressing: Dembélé's new role has made him a key player in PSG's pressing and counter-pressing strategy, allowing the team to quickly regain possession and launch counter-attacks.
Flexibility: His versatility has given Luis Enrique various tactical options, enabling the team to adapt to different opponents and game situations.
Goal-Scoring Ability: Dembélé's impressive goal-scoring record, including crucial strikes in high-pressure matches, has been a significant factor in PSG's success this season.
Notable Performances
Dembélé's performances in big games, such as the Champions League final against Inter Milan, have been particularly noteworthy. His ability to deliver under pressure and make decisive contributions has earned him recognition as one of the top players in the world.
Ousmane Dembélé has earned immense respect for his outstanding contributions to Paris Saint-Germain, particularly in their historic Champions League triumph. His work was instrumental in the team's success, showcasing his value as a key player in the collective effort. This dedication and performance are crucial factors considered in the Ballon d'Or voting process.
Dembélé's Individual Achievements:
Champions League Player of the Season: Dembélé's exceptional skills and goal-scoring ability earned him the top spot in the Champions League.
Decisive Player: He scored 8 goals and provided 6 assists in 15 matches, making him the most decisive PSG player in a single Champions League season.
Record-Breaking Season: Dembélé's 35 goals represent the highest tally by a winger since Cristiano Ronaldo's peak years, while his 16 assists showcase his evolution into a complete attacking force.
Dembélé's transformation under Luis Enrique's guidance has been remarkable. Repositioned as a central striker, he has thrived in this role, delivering exceptional performances and leading PSG to major trophies, including the Champions League, Ligue 1, and Coupe de France. His individual brilliance and clutch performances have cemented his status as a top contender for the Ballon d'Or.
Ousmane Dembélé's Record-Breaking Season
Ousmane Dembélé has had an incredible season, accumulating 33 goals and 13 assists. This impressive performance makes him the second-highest scorer among top-five European clubs since the start of 2025, with 27 goals in the new year. His exceptional form has also led to him being involved in the most goals in Europe's top five leagues in all competitions combined in 2025, with a total of 36 goal involvements.
Goal-Scoring Efficiency
Dembélé's goal-scoring efficiency is remarkable, with a goal every 81 minutes in 2025. This ratio is the second-best behind Alexander Sørloth's 74 minutes per goal. His ability to score crucial goals has been a key factor in Paris Saint-Germain's success this season.
Ligue 1 Top Scorer
In the domestic league, Dembélé has officially been crowned the top scorer in Ligue 1 for the 2024-2025 season with 21 goals. This achievement marks a first in his career, solidifying his position as one of the top players in the league.
Evaluating the Ballon d'Or Debate
The debate surrounding the Ballon d'Or winner is complex, with both Ousmane Dembélé and Lamine Yamal presenting strong cases. Dembélé's record-breaking season, including his crucial role in Paris Saint-Germain's historic treble, makes a compelling argument for him as the frontrunner.
Collective vs. Individual Achievements
The principle of team sports like football emphasizes the importance of collective effort. However, individual brilliance often determines the outcome of matches and seasons. Dembélé's performances have been instrumental in PSG's success, showcasing his value as a key player.
The Future of Football Talent
Lamine Yamal, as a generational talent, has already demonstrated exceptional skill and potential. While he may not have had the same level of success as Dembélé this season, his abilities and achievements at such a young age are impressive and promising for his future.
The Ballon d'Or voting process will ultimately decide who is recognized as the best player. Given Dembélé's achievements and contributions to his team's success, it's hard to argue against him as a deserving winner. However, the debate will continue, and opinions may vary until the winner is announced.
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