Ballon d’Or Favourite: Bale Tips Dembele for 2025 Glory

Ballon d’Or favourite Ousmane Dembele has found an influential ally in Real Madrid icon Gareth Bale, who publicly declared the Paris Saint-Germain winger “the 2025 winner by some way.” Bale’s verdict has injected fresh excitement into an already heated debate featuring teenage sensation Lamine Yamal and France captain Kylian Mbappé.

Ballon d’Or Favourite Tag Backed by Numbers

The term Ballon d’Or favourite is not being thrown around lightly. Dembele’s first full season in Paris has been nothing short of electric. Fifteen Ligue 1 goals, a league-high 19 assists and, most importantly, a starring role in PSG’s long-awaited UEFA Champions League triumph make for a compelling résumé. Bale, a four-time Champions League winner himself, knows the award’s voters often gravitate toward continental glory, and he pointed to Dembele’s match-winning display in the Istanbul final as the single biggest differentiator.

Why Bale Believes Dembele Leads the Race

Bale’s rationale was simple yet persuasive. “The Ballon d’Or often rewards decisive moments,” he said. “Dembele owned the biggest stage.” While stats matter, Bale emphasised the Frenchman’s flair under pressure—something he believes neither Mbappé nor the 17-year-old Yamal has matched this season. The Welshman also highlighted Dembele’s versatility: the ability to beat a defender on either foot, drop into midfield to create overloads and still sprint beyond the back line. In Bale’s eyes, that complete skill set separates a yearly standout from a generational great.

Champions League Triumph the Key Metric

History supports Bale’s stance. Since 2008, only three Ballon d’Or winners failed to lift the Champions League in the same calendar year. Dembele’s brace and late assist against Manchester City in the semi-final, followed by a 70-yard solo run that clinched the final, are signature moments award jurors love. Mbappé bowed out in the quarter-finals, while Barcelona’s youthful revolution with Yamal ended at the last-16 hurdle. Those exits left Dembele to dominate the knockout rounds virtually unopposed.

How Yamal and Mbappé Still Challenge

Yet the chase is far from over. Mbappé, fresh off a domestic double, could still tilt the balance if France conquer Euro 2024. A Golden Boot or Player of the Tournament in Germany would add heavyweight sparkle to his dossier. Yamal’s case is more nuanced; at 17, the Spaniard is rewriting age-based records weekly. If his blistering form continues and Barcelona regain La Liga, the narrative of a prodigy upsetting established stars could sway sentimental voters. Bale acknowledged both scenarios but maintained that Dembele’s “banked accolades” offer crucial insurance.

Dembele’s Evolution Since Barcelona Exit

Leaving Camp Nou was viewed as a gamble, yet it accelerated Dembele’s development. Under Luis Enrique’s fluid 3-2-4-1, the winger enjoys positional freedom he never fully had at Barça. Operating anywhere across the front four, Dembele registers career-high touches in central zones, proving he is more than an explosive dribbler. Analysts note a 25 percent uptick in successful through-balls this season, evidence of improved vision that resonates with award voters who prize artistry as much as output.

Tactical Freedom Under Luis Enrique

Luis Enrique’s trust manifests in subtle details: Dembele is now PSG’s designated set-piece taker from both flanks, and the manager routinely tasks him with tracking opposition playmakers rather than full-backs, underscoring defensive growth. Those responsibilities deepen the player’s narrative arc—another factor the Ballon d’Or electorate historically rewards. Bale, a former winger asked to evolve at Madrid, recognises kindred spirit traits: “He’s mixing beauty with graft, and that’s Ballon d’Or favourite material,” he said.

What History Says About Early Predictions

Bale is no stranger to forecasting greatness. In 2012, he tipped Luka Modrić for global recognition before the Croatian’s eventual 2018 win. However, there have been misfires—his early 2015 shout for Harry Kane proved premature. The takeaway? Being a Ballon d’Or favourite in spring is advantageous but never definitive. Injuries, international tournaments and late-season heroics can still rewrite the script.

Injury Risk and the Summer Schedule

Dembele’s durability has long been questioned; he missed 94 games through muscle problems at Barcelona. PSG’s medical team instituted a personalised recovery protocol, resulting in only one minor knock all campaign. Maintain that record, and the Frenchman’s path to Zurich looks clear. Conversely, Mbappé faces exhaustive fixtures with France, and Yamal is about to shoulder club commitments plus Spain’s Olympic squad. Fatigue could shift momentum either way.

Media Narrative and Sponsor Spotlight

The Ballon d’Or is partly a media-driven award, and Dembele’s story arcs perfectly. From injury-plagued frustration in Catalonia to redemption in Paris, it is a narrative both journalists and sponsors relish. Nike, his boot supplier, has already hinted at a special-edition “Redemption Pack” if he claims the trophy. Such promotional weight reinforces the perception that he is indeed the Ballon d’Or favourite.

Opinion: Bale’s Verdict Makes Sense—For Now

As things stand, Gareth Bale’s endorsement rings true. Dembele boasts the defining club trophy, sparkling metrics and a career-revival storyline. Still, football’s beauty lies in its unpredictability. A golden summer for Mbappé or a record-shattering youth campaign from Yamal could yet shift the balance. For purists and neutral fans alike, the 2025 race promises the rare thrill of multiple peak-talent arcs converging—and that can only be good for the game.