Ousmane Dembele Heaps Praise On Barcelona Starlet Amid Ballon D'Or Rivalry
PSG's Ousmane Dembele is tipped as potential Ballon d'Or winner for this season, and faces a stern competition from his former Barcelona teammate. Here's what he said on the duel.
Ousmane Dembele, fresh off a career‑high season with Paris Saint‑Germain, has opened up about his former Barcelona teammate Lamine Yamal, as the French winger faces stern competition from the teenage sensation for this year's Ballon d’Or.
In an in‑depth conversation with France Football, Demele expressed admiration for the 17‑year‑old, noting their time together at Barça.
"Everyone was already talking about Lamine Yamal from a young age at Barcelona. When he arrived at the professional level, we understood he was exceptional, and he took on another dimension. In training, he dribbled, he shot, he scored too," said Dembele.
Yamal’s meteoric breakthrough — finishing the season with 18 goals, 21 assists, and a domestic treble — has made him a beloved figure on the Ballon d’Or shortlist.
Meanwhile, Dembele's clinical form, with 33 goals across competitions, makes the French forward a serious Ballon d'Or contender.
Demebel Labels Ballon d'Or As 'Holy Grail'
Ousmane Dembele referred to the Ballon d’Or as football’s ultimate individual honour, echoing a lifelong dream of competitive glory.
"But winning a Ballon d’Or when you’re a soccer player is obviously the Holy Grail individually. It’s something you dream about when you’re little. I remember back when it was on Telefoot, watching the players line up to receive the Ballon d’Or; it was incredible. The object alone, the ball, is exceptional," said the French international.
When the topic shifted to his own candidacy, Dembele remained measured but optimistic:
"I hope to be among the 30 nominees already. I’ve had some difficult years with injuries, some poor performances too... This season, I think I’ve performed well, so we’ll see what happens. It would be exceptional to have my name on the list. And being one of the favorites is already a great victory, even if I hope to win it one day."
The Luis Enrique Effect On Dembele's Resurgence In Football
Dembele credited PSG manager, Luis Enrique, for instilling discipline and collective focus.
He stressed that under Luis Enrique, defensive effort became as vital as scoring prowess — an essential component for PSG’s Champions League triumph.
"With a coach like Luis Enrique, you know that if you don’t defend, you go to the bench, and someone will take your place … Thanks to that, PSG became European champions: we all defended and we all attacked," added the winger.
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