Kylian Mbappe Ballon d'Or pick revealed as race to crown world's best player gathers pace - 'Don't think it needs much explaining'
Published 07/06/2025 at 20:53 GMT+1
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Many expected Kylian Mbappe to take Europe by storm after his much-anticipated move to Real Madrid last summer, but his Paris Saint-Germain departure allowed Ousmane Dembele to thrive under Luis Enrique. Dembele's stunning form helped PSG to a maiden UEFA Champions League title, and Mbappe has claimed his compatriot deserves to be recognised by Ballon d'Or voters.
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Kylian Mbappe has named Ousmane Dembele as his pick to win the 2025 Ballon d'Or.
Dembele enjoyed an exceptional season with Paris Saint-Germain, scoring eight goals and providing six assists in the UEFA Champions League to help his side to continental glory.
Having netted 21 times in Ligue 1, too, the France international is among an elite list of contenders for football's most coveted individual award.
And he has been given the backing of former PSG team-mate Mbappe, who left Paris for Real Madrid last year.
"Would I vote for Dembele? Yes," Mbappe said in a press conference after France's UEFA Nations League semi-final against Spain.
"I don’t think it needs much explaining. People are talking about Lamine Yamal and Dembele, but my choice is clear: I vote for Dembele."
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Deschamps would '100 per cent' choose Dembele over Yamal for Ballon d'Or
Video credit: TNT Sports
Mbappe added: "Things can change a lot before September, when the award is handed out."
Teenager Yamal scored twice against France to help Spain to a remarkable 5-4 victory, but Dembele is the current bookmakers' favourite to win the Ballon d'Or.
France manager Didier Deschamps also publicly supported Dembele.
"Of course I am for Ousmane, since he is French and with the season he is celebrating," Deschamps said in midweek.
"Obviously, this Nations League can bring some elements of response, the Club World Cup too. If I have to choose, I tell you Ous [Ousmane], 100%, of course.
"If you ask me about the Spaniards, I don't think they will tell you the same thing. But obviously, Ousmane, with the season he is having, deserves it."
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The Spain camp did take a different outlook, with manager Luis de la Fuente suggesting Yamal would be a worthy Ballon d'or winner.
"Lamine Yamal has made a statement tonight and shown that he should win the Ballon d'Or," he told RTVE after the victory over France.
"He's the best player in the world and, in my opinion, of course, he deserves to win the Ballon d'Or."
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