Ousmane Dembele's redemption was the story of the season – PSG's leading man should be crowned the 2025 Ballon d'Or winner

There are several contenders for the Golden Ball, but it is Paris Saint-Germain's main man, Ousmane Dembele, who should take home the prize this year.

PSG are the undisputed kings of Europe, winning the European Cup for the first time in their history a significant achievement not only for a club founded in 1970 but also for the Qatari Sports Investment project. Since their takeover in 2011, the goal has been continental domination. Luis Enrique's side will be remembered for years to come for their tiki-taka-lite style based on fluidity and slick possession football. At the forefront of their success has been Dembele.

With the Ballon d'Or now judged on a seasonal basis – as it should be – this campaign should end with Dembele lifting the prestigious Golden Ball in his home country.

Road to Redemption

Dembele's career has been a tale full of dizzying highs and disappointing lows. It seemed destined to play out that way from the start. He became the second-most expensive footballer less than two years after his senior debut, despite not having a standout reputation as a youth player.

After impressing in France's fifth tier with Rennes' B team, Dembele was promoted to the first team for the 2015-16 season. He finished that campaign with 12 goals and five assists in only 26 Ligue 1 appearances, enough to convince Borussia Dortmund to spend €35 million on him in 2016. After one impressive season there, Barcelona broke their transfer record to sign him for €135 million.

This step arguably came too soon for Dembele, whose intricate style and flair meant he was a diamond in the rough who still needed polishing. The environments at Rennes and Dortmund, renowned for youth development away from the spotlight, suited him better. Moving to the huge stage of Barcelona, where he was considered Neymar’s heir, removed that safety net.

Dembele wasn't ready to mature, while Barca demanded instant impact. The player lived a lifestyle that resembled that of a teenager, with reports of a fast-food diet and questionable discipline. Barcelona's staff expected a two-year pro to live up to the massive transfer fee. Dembele later admitted to having "wasted" much of his time at Camp Nou.

Even when things seemed to improve under coach Xavi, doubts about Dembele’s ability and availability lingered. It wasn’t until he signed a new contract in 2022, enabling his exit a year later, that the world glimpsed a project nearing completion. Choosing to return home to France was a turning point.

Story of the Season

Dembele’s move to PSG was again as a replacement for Neymar, but with stakes lower this time. PSG were shifting focus from megastars to team ethic, marked by the departures of Neymar and Messi and the expected exit of Mbappe in 2024.

Supporting Mbappe, Dembele put in solid but unspectacular numbers, helping PSG secure a domestic double and reach the Champions League semi-finals. It wasn’t until Mbappe left that Luis Enrique could build a team fully his own, unaffected by the constraints of Barcelona or Spain management.

PSG narrowly avoided elimination in the Champions League group stage, with a late comeback win over Manchester City hailed as a turning point. Dembele, who had been mostly on the right wing, scored 35 goals and made 16 assists, but it was his transition to a central striker role that transformed him into the team's main driving force.

While not quite Pep Guardiola's Messi in 2010-11, this role change was similarly transformative. PSG’s frontline, enriched by other dynamic wingers like Desire Doue and Bradley Barcola and mid-season addition Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, was a blend of flair and selflessness.

Dembele stood out, scoring 16 of his 21 league goals between December and March, propelling PSG ahead of challengers Marseille and focusing efforts on the Champions League. Except for a 1-0 first-leg loss to Liverpool, he scored or assisted in every knockout match.

Beyond statistics, Dembele’s demeanor grew bolder and more confident, shedding his former frustrations. His pressing was relentless, as shown in the Club World Cup semi-final where he famously pressed Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois intensely.

At last, Dembele has realized his immense potential. Even his most loyal supporters might have doubted this just a year ago. His redemption story adds weight to his Ballon d’Or case and will mark him as the face of the 2024-25 season.

Overtaking Mbappe

Dembele and Mbappe’s careers have been intertwined since the 2016-17 season, where Mbappe’s Monaco ousted Dembele’s Dortmund in the Champions League quarters. Mbappe quickly became the more celebrated prospect, especially after helping France lift the 2018 World Cup.

Their only club season together was at PSG before Mbappe’s move to Real Madrid in 2024. Since then, PSG’s collective cerebral approach culminating in their Champions League victory contrasts with Real Madrid’s struggles, even with Mbappe’s individual talent.

Mbappe was widely seen as a future Ballon d’Or winner post-Messi-Ronaldo era. Ironically, Dembele now leads the race, passing Mbappe much like Gareth Bale outran Marc Bartra years ago.

Ringing Endorsements

Mbappe himself endorses Dembele, stating in June: “My choice for the Ballon d’Or is clear: I vote for Dembele.” PSG president Nasser Al-Khelaifi praised Dembele’s magnificent season, insisting that if he doesn’t win, there is a problem with the award.

Luis Enrique echoed this, highlighting Dembele’s leadership, defensive work, and overall contribution as reasons he deserves the Ballon d’Or. France coach Didier Deschamps and teammate Ibrahima Konate also publicly support Dembele’s claim.

Former player Paul Pogba and Gareth Bale have highlighted Dembele’s impact in PSG’s treble-winning season, framing him as the clear frontrunner given the trophies and personal performance.