Ousmane Dembélé is playing the best football of his career at PSG, emerging as a genuine Ballon d’Or contender alongside Barcelona standout Lamine Yamal.
Since Kylian Mbappé’s departure, the former Barcelona winger has stepped into a leadership role, consistently delivering in key UEFA Champions League moments.
The 28-year-old has tallied 33 goals and 13 assists in 48 matches across all competitions this season, with many of those contributions coming in high-stakes European fixtures.
Dembélé scored against Manchester City and notched a hat trick versus VfB Stuttgart to help PSG reach the knockout stage. He kept that momentum going, finding the net against Stade Brestois, Liverpool, and Arsenal, while also picking up two assists over both legs in the tie with Aston Villa.
Inter Milan star ready to challenge Barcelona, PSG standouts
Nuno Mendes
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While the talk is about Yamal and possibly Dembélé stealing the award from the youngster, Inter Milan striker Lautaro Martínez wants to be a serious contender for the honor this year.
“Obviously, the Ballon d’Or is a dream,” Martínez said. “Since you’re a kid, you dream of winning a World Cup or just playing in one, of winning the Champions League or playing in it. All those dreams, thank God, I’m living them. Playing in two finals in the last three years is incredible.”
🐂⭐ Lautaro Martínez, en vísperas a la final de la Champions League ante el PSG, dejó en claro que desea pelear a fondo por el Balón de Oro:
🗣 "Obviamente que el Balón de Oro es un sueño. Desde chico uno sueña con ganar un Mundial o con jugarlo, con ganar una Champions o… pic.twitter.com/NfteOM6kFN
— TyC Sports (@TyCSports) May 25, 2025
Like Dembélé, Martínez will need to have a significant performance in the Champions League final to sway voters that they’re more deserving than Yamal.