Ballon d’Or Battle: Yamal vs Dembele in Nations League Showdown
Dembele vs Yamal: Ballon d’Or Rivals Clash in Nations League Semi-Final
Ousmane Dembélé and Lamine Yamal — the two front-runners for this year’s Ballon d’Or — are set for a thrilling showdown as France face Spain in Thursday’s UEFA Nations League semi-final in Stuttgart (20:00 BST).
The winner will advance to Sunday’s final against Portugal, adding weight to individual Ballon d’Or campaigns already built on remarkable club seasons.
Both stars scored in their respective Nations League quarter-finals, showcasing their form on the international stage. Still, 17-year-old Yamal insists the match shouldn’t define who takes home football’s most prestigious individual honour.
“If you were voting for the Ballon d’Or, would you choose the best player of the year or the one who wins on Thursday?” Yamal said in an interview with El Partidazo de COPE. “I’m not thinking about the trophy. You’ll do badly if you focus on that. I just play to win.”
Season Stats & Achievements
The two forwards boast standout stats:
- Goals: Dembélé leads with 33; Yamal has 18.
- Assists: Yamal edges it with 21; Dembélé recorded 13.
- Minutes Played: Yamal (4,548) played over 1,200 more minutes than Dembélé (3,286), mostly in a more competitive league.
- Dribbles, Tackles, Duels Won: Yamal also outperformed Dembélé in these metrics, highlighting his all-round influence.
- Trophies: Both won domestic doubles and Super Cups, but Dembélé added the Champions League title.
Dembélé’s comeback this season has been stunning. Once dismissed as an unfulfilled talent after injuries and inconsistency marred his early career, the 28-year-old flourished under Luis Enrique at PSG.
A position switch to central striker in December triggered a scoring spree — 18 goals in 10 matches — leading to a league-best 21 goals and the Ligue 1 Golden Boot.
He was also named Champions League Player of the Season, after contributing two assists in PSG’s 5-0 final win over Inter Milan.
Luis Enrique is backing his player for the Ballon d’Or:
“The way he defended alone could win him the Ballon d’Or. Add goals, trophies, leadership — he’s been immense.”
And Dembélé’s season isn’t done yet — he’ll play in the FIFA Club World Cup this summer, potentially giving him an edge in the final tally.
Yamal: A Teen Prodigy Redefining Records
While Dembélé shines at 28, Yamal is achieving greatness at just 17.
He’s already won La Liga (twice), Copa del Rey, Spanish Super Cup, and the UEFA European Championship.
He’s made over 100 appearances for Barcelona, with 18 goals and 25 assists this season alone.
Yamal was selected for the Champions League Team of the Season following dazzling displays, particularly in the dramatic semi-final loss to Inter Milan.
He scored three goals in four El Clásico clashes, and his thunderous finish against Inter left managers and fans in awe.
“Lamine is a once-in-50-years talent,” Inter boss Simone Inzaghi said.
“Even doubling up on him wasn’t enough.”
CIES Football Observatory now values him at a staggering €400 million (£340m), and he recently signed a long-term extension with Barcelona.
Brazil legend Ronaldo remains the youngest Ballon d’Or winner (aged 21 in 1997) — a record Yamal could break with three years to spare.
As the Nations League semi-final approaches, one thing is clear: this clash between France and Spain is more than a bid for silverware — it’s a defining chapter in the Ballon d’Or race between football’s brightest young star and its greatest comeback story.