Stuttgart will decide the Ballon d'Or.

One semi-final, two battles. Spain vs. France is a high-stakes clash between two footballing powerhouses, but also a major turning point in the individual title race between Yamal and Dembele.

Dembele is a candidate for the Ballon d'Or.

Stuttgart – where Spain and France will face each other in the Nations League semi-final – is not just a meeting point to determine the next team to reach the final in Munich. For Lamine Yamal and Ousmane Dembele, it is also the stage for a potentially fierce duel: a battle for the most prestigious individual award in world football – the Ballon d'Or.

The race is relentless.

Exactly one year ago, Luis de la Fuente led "La Roja" to victory over France in the semi-finals of Euro 2024 – a milestone marking Spain's strong return to the European football map. On the morning of June 6th, they meet again, and besides the Nations League trophy, both teams have another unspoken goal: to strengthen the profiles of their stars in the race for the Ballon d'Or.

Dembele – with a successful season with PSG, winning the Champions League – is considered one of the leading candidates for this year's individual award. He has proven himself an indispensable part of the "Les Bleus" squad, bringing speed, technique, and a clear impact in big matches.

On the opposite side, Yamal – the teenage star of Barcelona and the Spanish national team – had a breakout season. Although his club couldn't win the Champions League, the 17-year-old football prodigy still made a strong impression by winning the treble (La Liga, Copa del Rey, Super Cup) and was a key player in his national team's journey to the Nations League semi-finals.

Dembele had a hugely successful year.

Dembele played 49 games, scoring 33 goals and providing 15 assists – impressive numbers. Meanwhile, Yamal played 55 games, contributing 18 goals and 25 assists – a remarkable performance for a 17-year-old. However, football is not just about statistics. Match-winning goals, explosive moments in big games – that's what helps a player score points for the Ballon d'Or.

Therefore, Stuttgart could be the place where the scales tip to one side.

Football is a team sport, but the Ballon d'Or is an individual race.

The Ballon d'Or award has always been a paradox in football. In a team sport , this individual title becomes the ultimate goal that every player craves. It carries the value of fame, global recognition, and considerable financial benefits – from contract terms to commercial image.

Therefore, although no one openly admits it, every match in the final stages of the season - especially in international tournaments - is an opportunity for stars to prove themselves to anonymous votes from journalists, coaches, and national team captains.

Mbappe, the Golden Boot winner, is not yet out of the running. If he performs brilliantly at the upcoming Club World Cup with Real Madrid, he could very well break into the race that currently seems to be leaning towards the two aforementioned names.

Let's not forget the strong emergence of young talent Desire Doue, who is seen as the future of the French national team. But at this point, the real battle is between Yamal and Dembele - the former and current Barcelona player.

Yamal once humbly shared in an interview with COPE : "I don't think about the Ballon d'Or. I just want to play football for fun. If it comes, great, if not, that's okay too. If I had to choose the best player of the year? I would choose myself." A statement that was half-joking, half-serious – but it contained the remarkable confidence of a player rapidly rising amidst the media storm and expectations.

However, Lamine Yamal also played very well.

Dembele, after years of struggling with injuries and criticism, is having the best season of his career. His resurgence is proof that class speaks for itself at the right time. Overcoming Yamal in today's match – if accompanied by an outstanding performance – could be the turning point that secures his place in the Ballon d'Or voting.

Luis de la Fuente and Didier Deschamps also reunited after a year. While De la Fuente's Spain embodied a team characterized by strong control, flexible pressing, and cohesive teamwork, France remained a team of exceptional individuals, capable of deciding the fate of a match with a single moment of brilliance.

Spain is on the rise with a new generation, and Yamal is the leading figure. France maintains its inherent strength, but also cannot hide its dependence on Mbappe or Dembele in crucial matches. Which team advances to the Munich final could also be the deciding factor in the Ballon d'Or race, as collective achievement always serves as a foundation for individual success.

Stuttgart is not only the venue that will determine the team that reaches the Nations League final, but also the place that will shape the landscape of the 2025 Ballon d'Or race. Yamal and Dembele – two generations, two personalities, two schools of football – will face off directly.

No one can say for sure who will win, but clearly, whoever wins this contest will gain another important "vote of confidence" on their path to achieving the greatest individual glory in football.

Source: https://znews.vn/stuttgart-dinh-doat-qua-bong-vang-post1558446.html