A year after Rodri's surprise victory at the detriment of Vinicius, announced as the big favorite to the succession of Lionel Messi, crowned in 2023, the suspense is in full swing in the Golden Ball race with two great favorites: Ousmane Dembélé and Lamine Yamal.
And if the tricolor world champion has for him the golden season produced by PSG, winner of the Champions League and the European Super Cup in addition to his usual tripled in France, and statistics worthy of the best goals with 35 goals and 16 assists. On all levels, Lamine Yamal is lagging behind but the magic delivered on certain occasions and the incredible lobbying of Barça can tip the scales on his side.
This is the feeling of Johan Micoud, invited to express themselves on this duel at the microphone of the evening team on Sunday. “A year 2025, an incredible start to the year. Afterwards, that wouldn't shock me at all as he has it. He is one of the big favorites ”he first entrusted to the subject of Ousmane Dembélé. However, the former Rennais would not have his vote.
Achraf Hakimi in front of Ousmane Dembélé?
“Me in relation to my sensitivity, I will put more Lamine Yamal before him, he said. Everyone said to me: 'At the beginning of the year, it was not decisive, Yamal.' But I saw the matches and he was very impactful in Barça's game, even if he had no stats. Afterwards, he had them. Above all, there were the two round trips of Champions League against Inter with two exceptional matches. »»
Worse, according to the former Bordeaux, Ousmane Dembélé is not his first choice in the Parisian workforce. “And after, compared to the Ballon d'Or season, if I have to reward someone from PSG, I'm sorry, but I will put Hakimi in front of Dembélé”he adds.
Ousmane Dembélé has a few arguments to argue. “Dembélé, he splashed everything that has happened since January, he is a fantastic player for the team. Beyond his goals, he brought a tempo, a state of mind to this PSG which perhaps lacked character, he agreed. And afterwards, it would also be a great reward because he has always been the second of a superstar in his team. And there, it was the first year he was taking leadership. He may have taken a little time to assume this, but when he took it, he really assumed. And if it is rewarded, it would be deserved. »»
