AFCON 2025
As the 2024–25 football season nears its climax, Paris Saint-Germain’s Ousmane Dembélé has emerged as a leading contender for the Ballon d’Or.
Once plagued by injuries and inconsistency at Barcelona, the 27-year-old French forward has transformed into one of Europe’s most prolific attackers.
With PSG on the brink of their first UEFA Champions League title, Dembélé’s exceptional performances have not gone unnoticed.
Here are three compelling reasons why he deserves to lift football’s most prestigious individual award.
1. Elite-Level Production Across All Competitions
Dembélé’s statistics this season are nothing short of extraordinary. In Ligue 1, he has netted 21 goals and provided 6 assists in 28 appearances, averaging 1.14 goals per 90 minutes—ranking him among the league’s top performers .
Across all competitions, he boasts 32 goals and 11 assists in 42 matches . His Champions League campaign has been equally impressive, with 8 goals and 3 assists in 13 matches, matching Kylian Mbappé’s club record for goal involvements in a single UCL season .
Beyond scoring, Dembélé’s creativity shines through. He averages 3.3 key passes per game and maintains an 83.21% pass completion rate, placing him in the top 2% of Ligue 1 players for expected assists per 90 minutes .
2. Clutch Performances on the Biggest Stages
Dembélé has consistently delivered in high-stakes matches. His decisive goal secured PSG’s 1-0 victory over Arsenal in the Champions League semi-final first leg, marking his eighth goal in the competition .
In the quarter-finals, he contributed an assist against Aston Villa, helping PSG advance despite a challenging second-leg defeat.
His leadership and determination were evident when he refused the Man of the Match award after the Villa game, expressing dissatisfaction with the team’s performance despite personal accolades.
Such moments underscore his commitment to team success over individual recognition.
3. A Redemption Arc that inspires
Dembélé’s journey from a €105 million transfer to Barcelona, marred by injuries and inconsistency, to becoming PSG’s talisman is a testament to his resilience.
Under manager Luis Enrique, he has thrived in a central forward role, especially following Mbappé’s departure. His improved finishing and consistent performances have silenced critics and reignited his career.
Fans and pundits alike have taken notice. A recent poll by L’Équipe saw Dembélé leading the Ballon d’Or race with 40.9% of the vote, outpacing competitors like Barcelona’s Raphinha.
Former teammates and analysts have also endorsed his candidacy, highlighting his transformation into one of the world’s best players.
