Yamal explains Dembele shouldn’t get Ballon d’Or despite Champions League win

Ousmane Dembele was exceptional throughout Paris Saint-Germain’s Champions League campaign, but Lamine Yamal has a different point of view in regards to the Ballon d’Or

If he had the power to vote in the Ballon d’Or, Barcelona and Spain forward Lamine Yamal made it clear that he would not choose Ousmane Dembele. Despite only being 18 years old, Yamal is being put forward as a potential contender to win the iconic individual football award.

Having played a starring role for the Catalans in their La Liga and Copa del Rey winning campaign, the teenager is one of the favourites to lift the accolade. However, he will be pushed by Paris Saint-Germain’s Dembele, who has been one of the Parisians’ best players in their treble winning season.

While the ex-Barcelona forward did not get on the scoresheet in PSG’s thumping 5-0 victory over Inter Milan in the final, his pressing and leadership from the front was astonishing to watch. Dembele and Yamal will be on the pitch with each other when France face Spain in the semi-finals of the UEFA Nations League.

Many believe this contest could have a hand in who wins the Ballon d’Or between Dembele and Yamal. However, the latter believes it should not have an effect, while appearing to suggest that Dembele does not deserve the award.

While speaking to ‘Cadena Ser’, when asked if the winner of their semi-final could edge ahead in the race for the Ballon d’Or, Yamal said: “People have the wrong concept of the Ballon d’Or.

“The Ballon d’Or is not for the one who wins a match, it’s for the best player of the year.”

He added: “For me, if people want to vote for the one who wins the match, perfect. I think Spain will win. It’s up to the people and, whatever happens, I will continue to enjoy football and have a good time.”

Commenting on whether Dembele would deserve the award or not, Yamal quickly replied: “I would vote for any Barça player before Dembelé, because I am from Barça. If you ask someone from PSG, they will tell you Dembelé, and if you ask someone from Real Madrid, they will tell you Kylian Mbappé.”

When questioned about his own chances of winning the competition while speaking to El Partidazo de Cope, he fell short of backing himself. He said: “I don’t think about winning the Ballon d’Or.

“I think about enjoying myself, playing well and if it has to come, it will come. For me the important thing is that people talk about what I do on the pitch, not off it.”

Dembele contributed 33 goals and 15 assists in the French capital in just 49 games in all competitions. It was a remarkable tally for a player who buckled beneath the weight of his transfer fee at Barcelona, when he was bought from Borussia Dortmund for £135.5m in the summer of 2017.

Injuries and inconsistent form disrupted his time at the Nou Camp, but underneath former Catalans boss Luis Enrique, he has found a home in Paris. In his post-match press conference after winning the Champions League, Enrique backed Dembele to win the prize, saying: “I would like to say that everyone is talking about the Ballon d’Or but I would give it to Ousmane Dembele

“If we think about how he defended, he showed just what he was made of. He was a leader, he was humble, he got back down and defended. I think without a shadow of doubt, he deserves this.”

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