Ousmane Dembele deserves to win the 2025 Ballon d’Or.
That is the opinion of Arsenal and France legend Emmanuel Petit – who has been keeping track of Dembele’s amazing campaign at Paris Saint-Germain with 33 goals and 12 assists to his name.
He has already led Luis Enrique’s side to a Ligue 1 title as the French giants remained undefeated in the league until late April.
Dembele has also impressed in Europe, scoring against Arsenal in the first leg of their Champions League semi-final tie, putting PSG one step closer to that elusive European crown they crave so badly.
“I think Dembele is having his best season so far,” Petit told the talkSPORT Breakfast Show.
“His name is on the Ballon d’Or at the end of the season.”
Ahead of the second leg in Paris on Wednesday night – live on talkSPORT – Petit was asked whether Mikel Arteta may order his players to double up on Dembele.
The former French international responded: “I think the star is not Dembele. The star is the team.
“This is what changed dramatically in PSG.
“They’ve been here for probably 12 years [the owners] and they’ve been splashing so much money on big names, big stars, big egos and that was the problem.
“Last year, before the change, the whole of France hated PSG because of what they were doing with their money.”
Dembele is competing with Mohamed Salah, Lamine Yamal and Raphinha for title of best player this year.
Ousmane Dembele's Ballon d'Or competitors
Have a look at their stats this season
Raphinha (Barcelona)
Kylian Mbappe (Real Madrid)
Lamine Yamal (Barcelona)
Mo Salah (Liverpool)
Robert Lewandowski (Barcelona)
Pedri (Barcelona)
Vinicius Junior (Real Madrid)
Harry Kane (Bayern Munich)
Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid)
Dembele is a winger by trade but has often led the frontline as a centre forwardGettyDespite having a record breaking season at Liverpool while winning the Premier League, Salah failed to go far in the Champions League after a round of 16 loss to PSG.
The Real Madrid trio of Mbappe, Bellingham and Vinicius Jr – despite having good numbers – will likely concede the La Liga title to Barcelona after being knocked out of Europe’s top club competition by Arsenal.
Yamal and Raphinha could have closed the gap on the award but they failed to get past Inter Milan on their way to the final in Munich.
Previously, PSG have broken transfer records for Neymar and Mbappe, while bringing in stars such as Lionel Messi and Sergio Ramos.
Despite the star power, they have been unable to deliver a Champions League – the closest they got being a 1-0 final loss to Bayern Munich in 2020.
But following the exit of Mbappe to Real Madrid in 2024, Enrique has been able to deploy a style of football that has turned PSG into arguably the world’s best side.
Petit continued: “The communication was bad, the behaviour of players on and off the pitch was bad. They changed everything. Luis Enrique had a great vision.
“We didn’t understand what he was trying to do at the beginning with this young team. It’s probably the youngest team since the Qataris have come to the club.
“I’m not a PSG fan but I’m starting to like them. It’s very weird to say that for me but I really appreciate them because of what they’re doing on the pitch but also what they’re trying to do in the club.
“The behaviour of the players is wonderful and they are all working hard for the team. There are no big egos.”
Alongside Dembele, new signing Khvicha Kvaratskhelia will not hesitate to take on full-backs, as shown by his battle with Arsenal defender Jurrien Timber at the Emirates.
In midfield, Joao Neves and Vitinha calm the storm and control the tempo, popping passes between themselves or feeding the frontline.
Between the sticks, stands Gianluigi Donnarumma who measures six foot five inches.
Donnarumma has had an amazing Champions League campaign being the hero in a penalty shootout against LiverpoolGettyHe was key to PSG’s 1-0 victory in north London, saving efforts from Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard.
Both sides are looking to grab only their second ever ticket to the Champions League final.
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