Real Madrid forward Kylian Mbappe has publicly backed his French national teammate Ousmane Dembele to win the 2025 Ballon d'Or, stating that the Paris Saint-Germain star deserves the prestigious award over Barcelona's young sensation Lamine Yamal.
Speaking to RMC Sport, Mbappe was unequivocal in his support for Dembele. "Would I vote for Dembele? Yes. Do I really need to explain?" the French captain said. "We're talking about Yamal and Dembele, I'm going for Dembele. It's very clean."
Dembele, who transferred from Barcelona to Paris Saint-Germain in the summer of 2023, has enjoyed a remarkable season with the French champions. The winger contributed significantly to PSG's treble-winning campaign, featuring in 49 matches across all competitions while recording impressive statistics of 33 goals and 15 assists.
In comparison, Barcelona's Lamine Yamal has also had a standout season, appearing in 55 matches for the Catalan club with 18 goals and 25 assists to his name. The young Spanish international helped Barcelona secure the La Liga title, Copa del Rey, and Spanish Super Cup.
Yamal has further enhanced his credentials by leading Spain to the UEFA Nations League final, where they are set to face Portugal.
The debate between Dembele and Yamal for the Ballon d'Or has intensified in recent weeks, with several football personalities weighing in on the discussion. LaLiga president has also suggested potential candidates, while Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo reportedly ruled out Yamal's chances in separate comments.
The 2025 Ballon d'Or ceremony will ultimately determine whether Mbappe's endorsement of his compatriot will influence the final decision, as both players continue to showcase exceptional talent on the European stage.
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