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Ballon d’Or 2025: Dembele Reveals First Person To Congratulate Him For Beating Yamal

Paris Saint-Germain forward Ousmane Dembélé has disclosed who was the first to congratulate him on winning this year’s Ballon d’Or.

The Frenchman recently won the award ahead of Barcelona’s Lamine Yamal in Paris after recording the highest points.

The 28-year-old spoke with L’Equipe as he disclosed that Inter Miami captain Lionel Messi was the first person who congratulate him for his achievement.

He also added revealed that the likes of Luis Suarez and Xavi also congratulated him.

“Messi congratulated me first, he sent me a message directly,” Dembele said via @ReshadFCB (as reported by Sportskeeda).

“Xavi and Luis Suárez also sent me their congratulations. They were all very happy for me.”

Dembele and Messi were former Barcelona teammates in the past during their time at Camp Nou.

The former Dortmund star won the treble in the 2024-25 season with PSG, scoring 33 goals and registering 13 assists in 49 appearances in all competitions for the club.

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Ballon d’Or 2025: LaLiga Explains Why Lamine Yamal Was Denied Award

LaLiga president, Javier Tebas, has claimed that Barcelona winger Lamine Yamal was denied the 2025 Ballon d’Or because of his age.

Tebas has however expressed his optimism that Yamal will soon win the award.

Ousmane Dembele of Paris Saint-Germain finished top in the Ballon d’Or voting this year, with 18-year-old Yamal as runner-up.

Yamal however went home with the Kopa Trophy for best young player, a prize he has now won back-to-back.

“If he had been older than 23, he would have won it, too, I’m sure, but since he was younger, they gave him the other one [Kopa trophy],” Tebas said.

But unlike Tebas, Barcelona President Joan Laporta had admitted that Dembele won the prize because PSG lifted the Champions League trophy.

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Dembele hails ‘wonderful’ Yamal, insists ‘he’ll win several Ballon d’Or awards’

Paris Saint-Germain forward Ousmane Dembele has hailed Barcelona starlet Lamine Yamal after edging him to the 2025 Ballon d’Or on Monday night in Paris.

Dembele, who spearheaded PSG’s historic treble-winning campaign last season, claimed football’s top individual prize ahead of Yamal and Vitinha.

Dembele’s treble-winning campaign

The Frenchman registered 37 goals and 16 assists across all competitions as PSG secured their maiden Champions League title alongside Ligue 1 and the Coupe de France.

His heroics left voters with little doubt as he clinched the Golden Ball at the Théâtre du Châtelet.

Barcelona also enjoyed a stellar year under Yamal’s influence, lifting La Liga, the Copa del Rey, and the Spanish Super Cup.

However, their Champions League semi-final exit tilted the balance in Dembele’s favour.

Classy words for Yamal

In his emotional acceptance speech, Dembele lauded his teenage rival: “Lamine Yamal is an exceptional young man. A wonderful player with great maturity. I believe he will win several Ballon d’Or awards.”

Tribute to family

The PSG star also fought back tears as he thanked those closest to him. “To my mother, I want to thank you. You have always been there for me, mama,” he said.

“To my family, we have experienced so much together. We have been through it all. We will always be together.”

Future battle for football’s biggest prize

Dembele’s prediction for Yamal may not be far-fetched. At just 18, the Spaniard has already carved his name into football’s elite, recording five goal contributions in his first three games of the new campaign before picking up an injury.

Dembele himself has also been nursing a knock but is expected to feature when PSG host Auxerre in Ligue 1 next weekend.

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Yamal Names Two Players He’d Give Ballon d’Or If He Doesn’t Win It

Barcelona star Lamine Yamal has revealed that if he couldn’t win the Ballon d’Or himself, he would love to give it to Lionel Messi or Neymar.

The 18-year-old also labelled Messi as the greatest footballer of all-time.

The Spain star added that Neymar deserves to win at least one Ballon d’Or.

“Neymar and Messi. I would give one [Ballon d’Or] to ‘Ney’, I think he deserves it,” Yamal told RTVE (via Barca Universal).

“The ‘Ney’ who was playing for Barca or Paris at the time would definitely win it [Ballon d’Or] now.

“I would’ve liked him [Neymar ] to have won one. And obviously, Messi because he is the best ever.”

Yamal is one of the top candidates that could win the 2025 Ballon d’Or.

He will challenge the likes of Ousmane Dembele, Raphinha, Kylain Mbappe and Mohamed Salah for the 2025 Ballon d’Or.

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Ballon d’Or: ‘I Wouldn’t Have Acted The Same Way’ – Rodri To Vinicius After Snub

Rodri, the Manchester City midfielder, has sent a clear message to Real Madrid’s Vinicius Junior after the Brazilian’s decision to turn down his ticket to last month’s Ballon d’Or’s ceremony in Paris, France.

Rodri claimed that he ‘would not have acted the same way’ Vinicius did.

Vinicius had been considered the strong favourite to win the 2024 Ballon d’Or after playing a key role in Real Madrid winning the Champions League, La Liga and the Spanish Super Cup last season.

But a leak in the build-up to the Ballon d’Or ceremony indicated that Rodri would scoop the award after a brilliant year with both Manchester City and Spain.

Recall that the 28-year-old midfielder won both the Premier League and Euro 2024.

As a result, Vinicius and Real Madrid’s delegation cancelled their trip to Paris in protest of their winger failing to win the award ahead of Rodri.

Speaking to France Football, Rodri said: “When your value is recognised at a very high level, final winner or not, it’s good to come.

“Besides, there is also the collective aspect that’s important. For example, Erling [Haaland] was in a better position than me to win last year. I wanted to come to support him in a special moment.

“So when I made the decision to come it was above all to enjoy this superb evening.”

When specifically asked about Vinicius’ decision to snub the event, Rodri said: “What do you want me to tell you?

“That I would have preferred everyone to be there? Of course, I would have.

“The second, third, fourth, etcetera were all missing… I have to respect everyone’s decision. Even if I would not have acted the same way.”

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Ballon d’Or 2024: Lionel Messi Names Shock Candidate That Deserves To Win Award

Lionel Messi, the world-famous Argentina captain, has said his team-mate Lautaro Martinez deserves this year’s Ballon d’Or more than any other player.

Martinez is among the 30 nominees for the prize alongside Vinicius Junior, Jude Bellingham, Rodri and Dani Carvajal.

With the ceremony only 12 days away, Messi has shared his thoughts on who will replace him as the winner.

The Inter Miami superstar, who claimed a record-breaking eighth Ballon d’Or last year, won’t be defending his title this year.

Instead, Messi has backed Martinez, who finished 21st and 20th in the Ballon d’Or rankings in 2021 and 2023.

The 27-year-old scored 27 times and provided seven assists in 44 games across all competitions last season, which included 24 goals and six assists in the Serie A as Inter Milan won the Scudetto.

He also scored one and turned provider into another in Nerazzuri’s successful Supercoppa Italiana run.

“He had a spectacular year, he scored in the final, he was the top scorer in the Copa America.

“He deserves the Ballon d’Or more than anyone else,” Messi said via Goal.

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Ballon d’Or: I Would Vote For Ademola Lookman – Atalanta Coach, Gasperini Says

Gian Piero Gaseperini, the Atalanta manager, has said his Ballon d’Or vote would go to Ademola Lookman.

Lookman is the only African player nominated for the award this year.

The Super Eagles wrote his name in history books, after he scored a hat-trick against Bayer Leverkusen in the Europa League final.

Gasperini has now said that feat is enough for him to vote Lookman.

He told Sky: “My personal Ballon d’Or vote would go to Ademola Lookman.

“His magic skills helped us to win the Europa League.”

The winner of the 2024 Ballon d’Or will be announced on October 28.

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Ballon d’Or Organizers Announce New Rule For Winner

The organizers of the Ballon d’Or awards, France Football, are set to implement a new rule from this year.

With over two weeks left before the ceremony takes place on October 28, there have been whispers about who will take the prize home.

Real Madrid’s Vinicius Junior is widely expected to be named winner ahead of names like Kylian Mbappe, Jude Bellingham and Rodri.

Vinicius was outstanding as Los Blancos won the LaLiga and Champions League titles last season.

But according to The Athletic correspondent, Mario Cortegana, the winner of the 2024 Ballon d’Or will not be interviewed by France Football before the award is held – as it was always the tradition.

Cortegana claims the winner will know he has won when the envelope is opened during the live ceremony.

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Ballon d’Or: ‘He’s A Leader’ – Matthaus Names Player That Deserves Award More Than Vinicius

Lothar Matthaus, the Germany legend, has insisted that Rodri of Manchester City deserved to win the 2024 Ballon d’Or ahead of Real Madrid Vinicius Junior.

According to Matthaus, the Spain international is a leader, who behind the reason for this country to winning the Euro 2024 and Man City winning the Premier League.

The 2024 Ballon d’Or will be announced in October and both Vinicius and Rodri are among top contenders for the award.

Speaking about the 2024 Ballon d’Or, Matthaus said (as per Bild):

“It is the case in this election that those who score goals are always more in the spotlight than others. With victories in the Champions League and the Spanish championship, he has won titles with Real Madrid that justify this award.

“Personally, I only see Vinicius in third place in my ranking of this year’s world footballers.

“For me, Rodri deserved the Ballon d’Or more than Vinicius. He was the thinker and leader of European champions Spain, and he also won the Premier League with Manchester City.

“These are two titles that his teams won, thanks to his strong performances. That is why he was the outstanding player of the year for me.”

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Ballon d’Or: Calvin Bassey Was Jumping When I Told Him – Lookman On Sharing News Of His Nomination

Ademola Lookman, the Super Eagles forward, has revealed that his colleague, Calvin Bassey was the first player he told when he learned about his nomination for the 2024 Ballon d’Or award.

Lookman was recently named among the 30 candidates for this year’s Ballon d’Or.

The Atalanta winger is competing against top players like Vinicius Júnior, Rodri, Jude Bellingham, and Dani Carvajal.

Speaking with the Counter Attack Podcast, Lookman said: “I was on the bus on the way back from training. I saw our handle posted that I have been nominated for the Ballon d’Or. I was a bit surprised.

“Obviously, I am in a room with Calvin Bassey and when I told him, he was just jumping up and down. He was very happy and was like you don’t really understand. That was when I took it in.”

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