The Barcelona forward finished behind Dembele and also won the Kopa Trophy
Ballon d’Or winner Ousmane Dembele has hailed closest competitor Lamine Yamal and backed him for future successes with the award.
Dembele bagged the 2025 edition of the prestigious individual trophy on Monday night in Paris, capping a remarkable 2024-25 season in which he played a central role in Paris Saint-Germain’s treble-winning season, including their historic Champions League triumph in Munich.
The French forward edged Barcelona’s 18-year-old sensation Yamal to claim the award. Vitinha, PSG’s midfield metronome, finished in third place.
“We’ve seen Lamine Yamal compete throughout this season,” said Dembele. “He’s an extraordinary young man, a very mature player.
“I think if all the planets align, he’ll win many trophies like the Ballon d’Or. It’s been a good competition. There were other players afterward, so it was a good battle.
After a mixed career riddled with injuries at Dortmund, Barcelona and even PSG itself, Dembele was reborn in 2025 under Luis Enrique, becoming PSG’s chief presser and highest goalscorer.
He scored 33 goals and delivered 15 assists as the Parisian side won the Ligue 1, the Coupe de France, and most significantly, the club’s first ever Champions League title.
Meanwhile, Yamal’s emergence was also one of the stories of the season. The teenager broke into Barcelona’s senior side at 15 in 2023-24 but matured further in 2024-25, terrorising defences and scoring impossible goals as his club won a domestic treble of the La Liga, Copa del Rey, and Supercopa de Espana.
He also finished the season with the most assists in La Liga (15). Besides coming second in the Ballon d’Or rankings, he also won the Kopa Trophy for the second year running. The prize is awarded to the best player under 21.
