Lamine Yamal‘s 2024-25 season has already wrapped up, but even during his vacation, the 17-year-old sensation can’t seem to escape the ongoing debate with Ousmane Dembele. While in France, Yamal was intercepted by a Paris Saint-Germain fan who shouted directly at him: “Dembele for Ballon d’Or.”
Both forwards have emerged as leading contenders for the Ballon d’Or after delivering standout performances throughout the season. Their head-to-head clash came in the UEFA Nations League semifinals, where Yamal helped Spain eliminate France, gaining a slight edge in their unofficial rivalry.
Unlike Yamal, Dembele’s season isn’t over yet, as PSG remain alive in the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 in the United States. However, a muscular injury suffered against Spain sidelined Dembele for the entire group stage, and his availability for the knockout rounds remains uncertain.
This time, though, Yamal found himself on the receiving end of fan banter. While passing through the Paris airport during his vacation, the Barcelona star was approached by several fans — some asking for selfies, but one taking the opportunity to bring up the Ballon d’Or race: “You are the d— star. Dembele Ballon d’Or, Dembele for Ballon d’Or.”
When will the Ballon d’Or gala take place?
The 2025 Ballon d’Or ceremony, organized by France Football magazine, will be held on Monday, September 22, at the Châtelet Theatre in Paris. Although the list of nominees hasn’t been announced yet, both Yamal and Dembele are widely expected to be among the top contenders for the prestigious award.
see also
When will Lionel Messi and Inter Miami face PSG in the Round of 16 at the FIFA Club World Cup 2025?
The nominees will be revealed in early August, with the outcome of the Club World Cup potentially playing a role in the final voting. With stars like Raphinha, Kylian Mbappe, Mohamed Salah, Vinicius Junior, and Pedri likely to round out the shortlist, many fans and pundits are already framing this year’s race as a head-to-head battle between Yamal and Dembele.
