How did Dembele dominate Yamal in the 2025 Ballon d'Or?

Ousmane Dembele proved his outstanding strength by securing the 2025 Ballon d'Or, significantly outscoring Lamine Yamal in the France Football poll.

This victory marks not only a major milestone in his career but also highlights a brilliant season for the PSG star. According to the official announcement from France Football, Dembele accumulated a total of 1380 points, well ahead of Lamine Yamal’s 1059 points.

The 321-point gap is one of the largest margins in recent Ballon d'Or history, second only to the 356-point record set by Karim Benzema over Sadio Mane in 2022. Remarkably, Dembele received 73 first-place votes out of 100 jurors, while Yamal managed only 11. This clearly shows the PSG star’s absolute dominance in the eyes of experts, turning what seemed like a close race into a one-man show.

Dembele’s commanding victory is the result of a stellar season in Paris. The French winger played a key role in helping PSG achieve a domestic treble and clinch their first-ever Champions League title at Parc des Princes. His consistency and ability to shine in crucial matches made him irreplaceable and left a lasting mark on the club’s historic journey.

However, the outcome remains controversial within the football community. Lionel Messi supported the organizers’ choice, but Lamine Yamal’s father expressed disagreement. Neymar even openly mocked the rankings on social media by writing: "Raphinha at number 5 is a joke." These opinions reflect a division, yet it is hard to deny that Dembele deserved the prestigious award given his performances.

Besides Dembele and Yamal, other players also received first-place votes, including Vitinha (6 votes), Mohamed Salah (4 votes), and Achraf Hakimi (3 votes). Kylian Mbappe, Scott McTominay, and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia each got 1 vote. These figures further emphasize the gap between Dembele and the rest.

The 2025 Ballon d'Or is not only a reward for a successful season but also a reaffirmation of Ousmane Dembele’s status. Once considered a struggling talent at Barcelona, he found the perfect environment at PSG to revive his career and reach new heights. His overwhelming victory over Lamine Yamal is the clearest proof of his remarkable comeback and breakthrough.