The 69th Ballon d’Or ceremony is happening tonight at the Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris, and it’s a showdown between two rising stars: Ousmane Dembélé and Lamine Yamal.
The anticipation builds as the clock ticks down to around 10 PM, when the winner will be announced. According to France’s editor-in-chief, he alone knows who will take home the prestigious award, but all eyes are on the PSG forward, who enters as the clear favorite.
Dembélé’s exceptional 2024-2025 season has solidified his position as the frontrunner. His contributions have been pivotal in PSG’s collective success, including a Champions League victory.
In stark contrast, Yamal’s reputation has taken a hit following Spain’s loss to Portugal in the Nations League final. Additionally, his Barcelona team’s performance has not matched the heights of Dembélé’s PSG, making the latter’s claim to the award even stronger.
However, a potential snag exists: the distribution of votes among several other PSG nominees, like Achraf Hakimi or Vitinha, could dilute Dembélé’s chances. Yet, despite this possible complication, he remains the leading contender to become the sixth Frenchman in history to snag the coveted trophy, a remarkable achievement.
Dembélé Joins the Ranks of French Football Legends
If he wins, Dembélé will join an elite list of French football legends, including Raymond Kopa (1958), Michel Platini (1983, 1984, 1985), Jean-Pierre Papin (1991), Zinédine Zidane (1998), and Karim Benzema (2022). This historic moment would not only elevate his career but also strengthen France’s reputation on the global football stage.
PSG will also be represented in other categories, with Désiré Doué in the running for the Kopa Trophy and Gianluigi Donnarumma, now with Manchester City, vying for the Yachine award.
Luis Enrique is nominated for best coach, while several Parisian players are in contention for a spot in the year’s best XI. Interestingly, Enrique and most players will not be present at the ceremony, as they are tied up with the Classique, making for a rather unusual and divided evening.
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