The 2025 Ballon d’Or gala ended in triumph for Paris Saint-Germain’s Ousmane Dembélé, but it also brought heartbreak for Barcelona wonderkid Lamine Yamal. Despite becoming the first player ever to win the Kopa Trophy twice, the 18-year-old missed out on the main award to Dembélé, who capped off a sensational treble-winning season with PSG
Softfootball understands that Yamal’s camp had been quietly hopeful of an upset, especially after his back-to-back Kopa Trophy win and record-breaking performances for club and country. However, with Dembélé delivering over 50 goal contributions and leading PSG to Champions League glory, the Frenchman ultimately proved irresistible to voters.
According to top journalist Fabrizio Romano via his official facebook page, Yamal’s father, Mounir Nasraoui, voiced his disappointment after the ceremony, he said:
“I think this is the biggest… not robbery, I won’t say that, but the GREATEST MORAL HARM to a human being.”
Softfootball understands that Nasraoui’s reaction reflects the emotions of many Barcelona fans who felt Yamal’s impact went beyond numbers and statistics. The teenager’s aamazing performances at just 18, and his reasonance to the next generation of fans made him a sentimental favourite, even if the trophy slipped from his grasp.
Still, there was no bitterness in the Yamal camp toward Dembélé, whose season was historic in its own right. Instead, the feeling was one of pride mixed with frustration, pride in Yamal making history as a two-time Kopa winner, and frustration that such a remarkable year wasn’t enough to topple Dembélé’s once-in-a-lifetime campaign. For many, tonight wasn’t an end for Yamal, but the beginning of a Ballon d’Or journey that still feels inevitable.
