With the announcement of the new Ballon d’Or approaching on 22 September in Paris, anxiety is growing among those with a stake in a particular outcome.
The battle seems to be boiling down to Barcelona wonderkid Lamine Yamal, who could become the youngest winner of the Golden Orb, and PSG superstar Ousmane Dembele, who won a historic treble last season.
PSG director ramps up pressure
Although voting has already closed, Paris Saint-Germain sporting director Luis Campos has made a strong case for Dembele, naming him the best player in Europe last season, while also referencing Lamine in his statements.
“If Ousmane doesn’t win the Ballon d’Or, it’s because the people who voted don’t have the skills to vote for the Ballon d’Or,” Campos told RMC Sport (h/t Mundo Deportivo).
UDINE, ITALY - AUGUST 13: Ousmane Dembele of Paris Saint-Germain looks on during the warm up prior to the UEFA Super Cup 2025 match between Paris Saint-Germain and Tottenham Hotspur at Stadio Friuli on August 13, 2025 in Udine, Italy. (Photo by Claudio Villa/Getty Images)
PSG superstar Dembele a candidate for the Ballon d’Or. (Photo by Claudio Villa/Getty Images)
“The one who clearly deserves the Ballon d’Or is Ousmane Dembele, there’s no discussion. I’m talking about last season, not a projection about Lamine Yamal in a few years,” he added.
To underline the strength of the PSG squad and their Ballon d’Or credentials, Campos added:
“PSG has nine Ballon d’Or nominees. We’re very happy. Other players also deserve to be nominated, like Barcola and Pacho.
Ousmane Dembele was chosen as the best player in the Champions League, the best player in his league; he’s won everything. If he were called Leo Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo, there would be no discussion.”
Further promoting Dembele’s candidacy, Campos noted: “This season, the player with the best statistics and who has excelled in all competitions is Ousmane Dembele.”
“Hakimi and Vitinha also had extraordinary seasons, but the truth is that the best player in the Champions League and Ligue 1 is Ousmane Dembele,” he concluded.