Lamine Yamal’s Ballon d’Or Hopes Soar After Cole Palmer Outshines Dembélé in Club World Cup Final
Rising Spanish star Lamine Yamal has seen his Ballon d’Or prospects surge after Cole Palmer’s dominant performance helped Chelsea defeat PSG and Ousmane Dembélé 3-0 in the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup final. The outcome significantly dented Dembélé’s campaign for the award, while strengthening Yamal’s position among the top contenders.
Dembélé’s Setback Boosts Yamal’s Campaign
According to Mundo Deportivo, Dembélé’s failure to score or assist in the final combined with France’s earlier Nations League disappointment has opened the door for Yamal. In contrast, Palmer scored twice and provided an assist, while Dembélé struggled to make an impact on PSG’s biggest stage of the season.
In Spain, journalists and fans alike have rallied behind the 17-year-old Barcelona prodigy. On social media, AS journalist Javi Miguel quipped, “It’s Lamine Yamal’s birthday, and Dembélé just gave him the best gift the Ballon d’Or.”
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Fabrizio Romano: “Everyone Thinks Yamal is the Best”
Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano has also echoed the growing consensus. “Talking with colleagues, everyone thinks Yamal is the best in the world right now. The magic he gives you, no one else can match,” Romano said in a pre-final conversation with other Ballon d’Or voters.
Yamal’s individual brilliance this year including standout performances for both Barcelona and Spain has placed him among the elite, despite his young age.
Other Contenders Remain in the Race
While Dembélé’s stock may have dipped, the race is not yet over. Yamal still faces competition from names like Vitinha (PSG), Raphinha (Barcelona), Kylian Mbappé (Real Madrid), and Mohamed Salah (Liverpool) all of whom have had influential seasons at club and international level.
Ballon d’Or Ceremony Set for September 22
The official Ballon d’Or ceremony, organized by France Football, will be held on September 22, 2025, in Paris. The three finalists will be announced ahead of the event, with Yamal now seen as a front-runner to win the most prestigious individual award in football.
