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| Ousmane Dembélé, Ballon d'Or 2025, |
In the ever-spinning world of football, names change and roles shift, but one dream remains constant: to stand atop the podium and lift the Ballon d'Or. Today, that dream is no longer the exclusive property of two or three superstars. In the heart of the French capital, a name is re-emerging, reclaiming its lost brilliance. A player who combines sublime talent, breathtaking speed, and the ability to single-handedly alter a match's destiny: Ousmane Dembélé.
After a complex debut season with Paris Saint-Germain, Dembélé has begun the new campaign (2025-2026) carrying the weight of heavy expectations and immense hope. With Kylian Mbappé's departure to Real Madrid, the spotlight has almost entirely swiveled to the flying French winger. He is no longer just the "complementary player" or the "skillful winger"; he is now a cornerstone of the Parisian project, which desperately craves to finally break its Champions League curse. This transformation of his role poses a fundamental question: does Dembélé possess what it takes to compete for major individual awards, stealing the limelight from his former teammate Mbappé and the meteoric talent, Lamine Yamal?
Decoding "The Glass Man": The First Key to Success
The greatest and most persistent challenge in Dembélé's career has never been in his feet, but in his own body. The recurrent injuries that have shadowed him since his move to Barcelona, and even during his first season in Paris, have been the primary obstacle preventing him from unleashing his full, terrifying potential. For Dembélé to even enter the conversation for the Ballon d'Or or the Onze d'Or, consistency is the magic word. He needs a full season of regular participation—a season where he plays over 50 matches at the same elite level and, crucially, is present in the decisive moments, especially in the knockout stages of the Champions League.
The coaching and medical staff at PSG are acutely aware of this challenge. Tailored training programs, preventative routines, and enhancing the player's own understanding of his body are all factors that will determine whether "Ousmane" can evolve from a player of "brilliant moments" to a player of a "complete season."
From Pace to Precision: The Required Tactical Evolution
Dembélé is distinguished by his unique ability to dribble proficiently with both feet, a rare trait that makes him nightmarishly unpredictable for any defender in the world. However, critics have often pointed to a weakness in his decision-making in the final third: the misplaced pass, the ill-timed shot, or one dribble too many.
Under the guidance of coach Luis Enrique, a purist who sanctifies collective play and quick decision-making, Dembélé is expected to elevate his tactical intelligence. It is no longer enough to be a rapid winger who penetrates defenses; he must become a decisive playmaker and an efficient goal-scorer. Significantly increasing his goal tally and his assist count are the two numerical benchmarks the world will use to judge his season. If he can manage to score over 20 goals and provide 20 assists across all competitions, he will undoubtedly thrust himself into the circle of top contenders.
A Merciless Rivalry: Mbappé, Yamal, and a New Generation
The path to the summit is not paved with gold. The competition is fierce and unforgiving. In Madrid, Kylian Mbappé has begun a new chapter, hungry to prove he is the best player in the world; winning the Champions League with Real Madrid would cement that claim. The goals, the titles, and the media influence are all firmly in Mbappé's corner.
Meanwhile, at Barcelona, the young Lamine Yamal continues to dazzle the globe. With his astonishing maturity and skills that defy his young age, he is widely regarded as the heir to Lionel Messi's throne at the Catalan club. Yamal represents the future, and any exceptional performance with Barcelona or the Spanish national team will place him at the heart of the contest.
The battle will not be confined to this trio. Players like Vinícius Júnior, Jude Bellingham, Erling Haaland, and Phil Foden all possess the ambition and ability to dominate the footballing landscape for years to come.
Conclusion: A Historic Opportunity for Dembélé
Ousmane Dembélé now has an opportunity that was never truly afforded to him before. He is the undisputed star of his team's attack, he holds the full confidence of his coach, and he appears more mature, both technically and mentally. If fortune smiles upon him and he can finally evade the injury curse, while honing his killer instinct in front of goal, he will not only have the ability to lead Paris Saint-Germain to their coveted European glory but will also have a realistic chance to end the reign of the usual suspects over individual awards.
The world is watching, and the current season will be the ultimate arbiter. Will Dembélé remain the "talent that almost was," or will he finally carve his name alongside the legends of the game? The answer lies in his feet... and in his body.