Paris Saint-Germain star Ousmane Dembele is still on Cloud Nine after clinching the 2025 Ballon d’Or ahead of Lamine Yamal.
After months of speculation over which of the pair would lift the trophy in Paris, Dembele emerged victorious after a sensational campaign in the French capital.
Dembele powered PSG a domestic clean sweep and a first-ever UEFA Champions League crown at the Parc des Princes, before picking up the Ballon d’Or gong last week.
Despite being hailed by plenty across the football for his reward after an incredible year, that was a wave of Barcelona-focused disagreement, firmly aimed at their former winger.
Lionel Messi agreed with the call, but Lamine Yamal’s father disagreed, and Neymar Junior went one step further on the overall final rankings.
“Raphinha number five is taking the p***’,” he posted on social media.
However, in the aftermath of the row, France Football have now revealed their final rankings based on votes cast and Dembele beat the Catalan teenager by 321 points in the end count.
The Ballon d’Or is decided by a list of 180 journalists from the 100 best FIFA-ranked nations who cast votes for their top 10 players in order from the shortlist. The 10 players are awarded 15, 12, 10, 8, 7, 5, 4, 3, 2, and 1 point based on ranking.
Dembele crushes Lamine Yamal in Ballon d’Or final vote
Dembele received 73 first choices votes from thee 100 judges with Lamine Yamal landing just 11.
✨ What you need to know about Ousmane Dembélé’s victory #ballondor pic.twitter.com/asmqUuDgPY
— Ballon d’Or (@ballondor) September 26, 2025
That whopping gap secured the final totals of Demebele on 1350 and Lamine Yamal on 1059 as the biggest gap between first and second since Karim Benzema scored 549 in 2022 ahead of Sadio Mane on 193.
Alongside Dembele and Lamine Yamal, six other players picked up a first choice vote from the France Football panel, including Vitinha with six, Mohamed Salah on four and Achraf Hakimi on three.
Real Madrid star Kylian Mbappe was given just one alongside Napoli midfielder Scott McTominay and Dembele’s PSG teammate Khvitcha Kvaratskhelia.
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