In Paris, there’s no debate—Ousmane Dembélé is the standout player of the season. That’s the message from Vitinha, one of Paris Saint-Germain’s key midfielders, who made his stance clear during the club’s Media Day ahead of the Champions League final. His words didn’t just highlight his teammate’s brilliance—they also sent a message that could ruffle feathers at Barcelona, where Lamine Yamal has emerged as a major contender for the award.

Dembélé Shines as PSG’s Undisputed Star

“The key to this season has been the team, yes, but if I had to highlight one player, it would definitely be Dembélé,” Vitinha stated. While praising the collective effort led by Luis Enrique, he emphasized the winger’s impact as a game-changer.

Asked about Dembélé’s chances of winning the Ballon d’Or, Vitinha didn’t hesitate: “For me, he deserves it the most so far. There are still games to play, but if he performs well in the Champions League final, it’ll be hard not to consider him the best.”

The former Barcelona player has been in stunning form this season, scoring over 30 goals and playing a decisive role throughout PSG’s European campaign. With Kylian Mbappé gone, Dembélé has stepped into the spotlight and carried PSG to their second-ever Champions League final.

A Subtle Jab at Lamine Yamal?

Vitinha’s comments come at a time when Lamine Yamal is being touted as one of the rising candidates for the Ballon d’Or. The Barcelona prodigy has dazzled in LaLiga and become a cornerstone under Hansi Flick, but the lack of major trophies could hurt his chances.

If Dembélé manages to lift the Champions League trophy with PSG, his individual performances combined with team success could make his claim to the award nearly unassailable.

The race for the Ballon d’Or is shaping up to be more than just a contest of stats—it’s a clash between two footballing philosophies: Barcelona’s youthful brilliance versus PSG’s structured dominance. And in Paris, they’ve already picked their winner.