Former Arsenal and France midfielder Emmanuel Petit has tipped Paris Saint-Germain winger Ousmane Dembélé as the frontrunner to win the 2025 Ballon d’Or, citing the Frenchman’s exceptional season as a key factor.
Dembélé has been one of PSG’s standout performers this year, delivering some of the most decisive moments in the club’s Champions League campaign. He scored the lone goal in the first leg of their semi-final clash against Arsenal, and although he didn’t score in the return fixture, his influence helped guide the Parisians to the final.
“This is Dembélé’s best season so far,” Petit said during an appearance on the talkSPORT Breakfast Show. “His name will be on the Ballon d’Or shortlist at the end of the season.”
The 26-year-old forward has racked up 33 goals and 12 assists in 45 appearances across all competitions, putting him in strong contention for world football’s most prestigious individual award. Still, Dembélé faces stiff competition—most notably from Barcelona’s Raphinha, who has tallied an astonishing 57 goals this season.
However, should PSG lift the UEFA Champions League trophy later this month, Dembélé’s chances of claiming the Ballon d’Or would increase significantly.