25 September 2025
Barcelona's German coach, Hansi Flick, believes that the disappointment of his player Lamine Yamal not winning the Ballon d'Or on Monday, awarded annually by France Football magazine to the best football player, will inspire the 18-year-old, who finished runner-up to Paris Saint-Germain striker Ousmane Dembélé.
Flick said in a press conference, "I spoke to him yesterday, and I think he sees things the right way, so what happened is an incentive for him for next season."
The competition for the prestigious award was narrowed down to Dembélé and Yamal after the list of 30 nominees was narrowed down. The Frenchman won the award for leading his team, Paris Saint-Germain, to a domestic treble and, most importantly, the Champions League, for the first time in the Parisian club's history. For his part, Dembélé shone last season, scoring 18 goals in 55 matches across all competitions, helping his team win three domestic titles: the league, the cup, and the Super Cup. However, the Catalan club's Champions League campaign ended in the semi-finals.
Flick considered that "Dembélé also deserved the award. It's a matter of voting, and a lot can happen. I think he (Dembélé) accepted it with grace, and he's excited to show that this season."
