AFCON 2025
PSG superstar Ousmane Dembele has had an excellent 2025, scoring more goals than any other player in Europe since the start of the year.
While Mohamed Salah and Barcelona’s Raphinha have been the frontrunners for the Ballon d’Or, Dembele’s performances this year have put him in the conversation.
Here are 3 reasons we believe the former Barcelona man must be in the running.
Clutch moments
Winning games and dominating your league is great but doing it on the biggest stage matters more.
At this very moment, Dembele has proven to be more of a big game star than Liverpool’s Mo Salah, who delivered his worst performances of the season over both legs against PSG.
If Dembele continues to turn up in the big games, then he must be right up there in the debate for the Ballon d’Or.
Numbers game
Dembele has scored 21 goals in 2025 alone, more than any other footballer on the planet. His total for the season stands at 29 goals and 8 assists in 36 appearances.
He may not be quite at the level of Salah and Raphinha in terms of numbers, but his goals have come at the most important stage of the season, and at this rate, he could be heading for a remarkable 40-goal campaign.
Champions League winner?
The UEFA Champions League will likely be the ultimate deciding factor for the winner of this year’s Ballon d’Or. Salah’s disappointing exit means this becomes a battle between Dembele and Raphinha. The way the draws are set up, both sides could face off in the final, offering the prospect of a thrilling spectacle.
Should PSG lift the trophy, Dembele’s chances will soar exponentially, and he could follow in the footsteps of Karim Benzema by becoming another French recipient of the award.
