Dembélé Claims the Onze d’Or

The Onze Mondial award highlighted just how close the race is. Ousmane Dembélé took the 2025 Onze d’Or with 32.5% of the votes, edging Lamine Yamal (30%) by just two points. The razor-thin margin shows how the PSG star and Barcelona’s wonderkid dominate the conversation heading into the Ballon d’Or gala on September 22 in Paris.

Behind them came Kylian Mbappé with 12.5%, followed by Achraf Hakimi (7%). Barça’s Pedri González (5.6%) and Raphinha (4.7%) also made the top six, confirming the Catalan club’s weight in the fan vote.

A Sign of What’s to Come

Beyond the trophy, the debate centers on whether this result foreshadows the Ballon d’Or. The Onze d’Or is voted by readers, while the Ballon is decided by a jury of 100 journalists. Still, Dembélé’s triumph fuels the idea that his outstanding season with PSG could receive worldwide recognition.

Meanwhile, Lamine Yamal, only 18, has already become a media and football sensation. His second place not only reflects his performances on the pitch but also his growing influence off it — a factor that could weigh heavily in an award often tied to popularity.

Popularity vs. Performance

The Ballon d’Or remains a contest where titles, narratives, and media pull all play a role. Dembélé arrives with strong sporting arguments, while Yamal, Barça’s “wonder boy,” carries the magnetism of a generation that idolizes him. Paris will decide, but one thing is clear: the battle has only just begun.