Why was the 2025 Ballon d'Or selection wrong?

Ousmane Dembele stepped onto the podium at the Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris to become the winner of the 2025 Ballon d'Or on the morning of September 23rd.

Lamine Yamal is playing very well at the age of 18.

It was an emotional moment, as a player once considered a "failed talent" was honored at the pinnacle of success. But as the confetti cleared, the question lingered: was this the most deserving choice? Or, in truth, should Lamine Yamal have been the one to be named?

The best Lamine Yamal in the world.

At 28 years old, Dembele just had the best season of his career. He scored 35 goals and provided 14 assists, playing a major role in Paris Saint-Germain's historic quadruple, including their first Champions League title. His two goals against Liverpool and Arsenal in the knockout rounds were truly decisive, helping PSG rewrite a chapter in history they had been waiting for decades.

But upon closer examination, that achievement isn't as perfect as the numbers suggest. The double against Brest, a weak opponent in Ligue 1, only further exposed the reality: PSG still dominates thanks to its overwhelming financial resources, and the real challenge only comes in Europe.

The core issue lies in the concept: Does the Ballon d'Or honor the "most valuable player of the season," or the "best player in the world"? If we choose the latter interpretation, the obvious answer is Yamal.

Lamine Yamal only won the "Best Young Player" award at the 2025 Ballon d'Or gala.

At 18, he played football like a master artist. His superior technique, bold thinking, and ability to make a difference in high-stakes matches made Yamal Barcelona's greatest inspiration. The Champions League semi-final against Inter was clear evidence: while his teammates crumbled, Yamal played like a mature man, doing everything he could to salvage the situation, even if unsuccessfully.

It wasn't Yamal's fault that Barcelona failed. Just as you can't blame Aitana Bonmatí – who won her third consecutive Women's Ballon d'Or – when Barca or the Spanish national team lose in the final. They were the individuals who did the most to bring their teams closer to glory. And that's the true measure: a player may not lift the trophy, but their performance is still genius-level.

However, the paradox is that Yamal "lost the vote" because... he's too young. There seems to be a wait-and-see mentality, wanting him to prove himself for a few more years. But the truth is, right now, Yamal is already the best player in the world. He's doing things that the rest can't even imagine, let alone accomplish.

If Dembele's victory in the Ballon d'Or was solely due to PSG winning the final, then the award would have become more of a reflection of collective achievement than a celebration of individual talent.

The history of the Ballon d'Or is full of injustice.

The history of the Ballon d'Or has been unfair to many big names. Xavi, Iniesta, Thierry Henry, Paolo Maldini, Lewandowski, Salah, and Haaland – all had illustrious careers but never once lifted the trophy.

In 2025, Yamal will extend that list once again. One might say Dembele "deserved" a full season, but the truth is that Yamal is what makes football extraordinary, beautiful, and full of emotion.

Lamine Yamal is the present and future of world football.

It could be argued that Dembele benefited from the absence of a major international tournament, which often produces performances that decide the outcome. He also benefited from the fact that votes often go to the player on the winning team.

But if judged by the criteria of "best player in the world," Yamal has far surpassed them. He is not only superior on the field, but also inspires an entire generation, just like Messi or Ronaldo once did.

The Ballon d'Or is traditionally a source of joy and individual recognition in a team sport . It acknowledges those who know how to excel and stand out. But there are years when it doesn't reflect that accurately. And 2025, unfortunately, may well be one such year.

Dembele made history with his first Ballon d'Or, but the real spotlight belonged to Yamal. He is the present and future of world football. And even though he didn't win the award this year, Yamal's performance was enough to confirm: this is a name that will sooner or later rewrite history.

Source: https://znews.vn/vi-sao-qua-bong-vang-2025-da-sai-post1587520.html