Portugal left-back Nuno Mendes has endorsed his Paris Saint-Germain teammate Ousmane Dembele as the frontrunner for the 2025 Ballon d'Or award, ahead of Spain's young sensation Lamine Yamal.
Mendes made these comments following Portugal's victory over Spain in the UEFA Nations League final on Sunday, where he played a crucial role by effectively neutralizing Yamal's threat and scoring Portugal's first equalizer.
"The Ballon d'Or? I play with Ousmane [Dembele] and he had a wonderful season, Lamine also had a wonderful season. But Ousmane will be in the Club World Cup and Lamine won't, so I'm very happy for Ousmane," Mendes told reporters after the match.
The 22-year-old defender highlighted Dembele's remarkable journey, noting, "He had a lot of injuries at Barca before arriving at PSG, but he is an amazing player. I like him very much as a player and a man."
Mendes pledged support for his club teammate in the race for football's most prestigious individual award, adding, "I wish him the best for the Ballon d'Or and I and his teammates will help him get there."
The Nations League final showcased a direct confrontation between two leading Ballon d'Or contenders, with Mendes' defensive masterclass against Yamal potentially influencing the award's outcome. This performance came at a critical time as football analysts are finalizing their assessments for the prestigious honor.
PSG's participation in the upcoming Club World Cup, which Mendes highlighted as an advantage for Dembele, could provide the French winger with an additional platform to strengthen his case for the award.
Follow BenriNews on Facebook | Twitter | LinkedIn | WhatsApp | Telegram
