Ousmane Dembélé’s Ballon d’Or Bid: A Season of Stunning Revival

Muhe - Friday, 08 August 2025 | 03:00 PM (WIB)

Ousmane Dembélé’s Ballon d’Or Bid: A Season of Stunning Revival

90 MIN FOOTBALL - The announcement of the 30 nominees for the 2025 Ballon d'Or has sparked heated debate in the football world. However, one name that has surprisingly emerged as a strong candidate, even a favorite by many, is Ousmane Dembélé.After years of being considered an inconsistent talent, the 2024/2025 season marks a turning point in his career. Can he truly win this most prestigious individual award?

Total Transformation Under Luis Enrique

The key to Dembélé's resurgence is the vital role he has been given by Paris Saint-Germain coach Luis Enrique. The former Barcelona manager has given Dembélé tactical freedom to move across the entire attack, not just on the wings. This role has made him a key creative force, a tempo-setter, and a deadly goal threat.The numbers speak volumes about his transformation. During the 2024/2025 season, Dembélé recorded 33 goals and 15 assists in 49 appearances. His goal tally is even higher than in the previous five seasons combined. This achievement demonstrates not only an increase in productivity but also a lack of consistency, which has been his Achilles' heel.

Crucial Contributions in the Champions League and Ligue 1

Dembélé's performances were not only impressive in Ligue 1, where he was named the best player and top scorer, but also on the European stage. He was the heart of PSG's attack that reached the Champions League final. Thanks to his brilliant performances, he was also named the 2024/2025 UEFA Champions League Player of the Year.In the final, which PSG won, he was a key player, contributing two assists. His contributions in these big moments are one of his strongest arguments in the Ballon d'Or race. He is a player who makes a difference, not only in his domestic league, but also on the grandest stage of European football.

Comparison with Main Rivals

Despite Dembélé's outstanding performances, his path to winning the Ballon d'Or was not easy. He was competing against several other big names, such as:Vinícius Júnior and Jude Bellingham: Both won the Champions League with Real Madrid, and their goalscoring contributions were significant.Florian Wirtz: A star from Bayer Leverkusen, Wirtz was a key player behind his team's incredible success and is now shining at Liverpool.However, Ousmane Dembélé excels in consistency and plays a central role in his team's system. He's not just a finisher, but also a creator capable of inspiring his teammates and changing the course of a match. The strong support of his coach, Luis Enrique, who has openly backed him, is also a crucial factor.

Opportunities and Challenges

Dembélé's chances of winning the Ballon d'Or are very good. The 2024/2025 season was his best, both in terms of statistics and team achievements. He led PSG to a domestic treble, won the Champions League, and individually won two best player awards.The only challenge might be competition from players with more "flashy" goal statistics in the media. However, if Ballon d'Or voters truly look at a player's overall impact on the team, then Ousmane Dembélé is a very logical and worthy choice.***