Lamine Yamal and Ousmane Dembele, the two frontrunners for the 2025 Ballon d’Or, will face off in Thursday’s UEFA Nations League semi-final as Spain takes on France in Stuttgart. The match is shaping up to be a pivotal moment in what has been an extraordinary season for both players.
While Dembele has dazzled with 33 goals and 13 assists for Paris Saint-Germain, including a Champions League win and Ligue 1 Golden Boot, Yamal, just 17, has outshone most with 18 goals, 25 assists, and over 4,500 minutes played across all competitions for Barcelona. Both players also scored in their respective Nations League quarter-final wins.
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Yamal, however, downplayed the Ballon d’Or significance of Thursday’s clash, saying he prefers voters to focus on overall performance rather than one match. Despite being significantly younger, the Spanish winger has already passed 100 appearances for Barcelona and played a crucial role in winning La Liga, Copa del Rey, and Spanish Super Cup this season.
Dembele, whose career once teetered on the edge due to injuries and inconsistency, has staged a remarkable comeback. After a mid-season shift to centre forward, he went on a scoring spree, hitting 18 goals in 10 games. He also delivered two assists in PSG’s record 5–0 Champions League final win against Inter Milan.
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The statistical comparison between the two players reveals a tight race: Dembele leads in goals and shot conversion, while Yamal dominates in assists, dribbles, defensive actions, and minutes played, suggesting a more rounded contribution over the season. Both players won their domestic doubles and respective Super Cups.
The Ballon d’Or will be announced on 22 September in Paris. With Dembele aiming to cap off a revival story and Yamal already hailed as a “once-in-50-years talent,” the Nations League semi-final offers a timely and dramatic stage for the world’s two most exciting forwards.
