Former Germany international Bastian Schweinsteiger has stirred the Ballon d’Or 2025 conversation by tipping Spain’s Lamine Yamal to be ranked higher than France’s Ousmane Dembele following their Nations League semi-final clash.
Schweinsteiger, who was speaking after Thursday’s tense encounter in Germany, praised Yamal’s performance during Spain’s win over France and insisted that the young Barcelona winger should be rated above Dembele when it comes time to vote for the world’s most prestigious individual football award.
The 40-year-old former Bayern Munich and Manchester United midfielder didn’t disclose his preferred Ballon d’Or winner but was clear in his comparison between the two attacking stars.
“Ballon d’Or? Lamine Yamal has to be put higher than Dembele,” he told German outlet SWR, according to a report by Metro UK. “Lamine Yamal was better tonight,” he added.
Yamal was instrumental as Spain overcame France to secure a spot in the UEFA Nations League final.
The winger, still only a teenager, has been one of the standout players of the season, helping Barcelona clinch both the LaLiga title and Copa del Rey under new manager Hansi Flick.
His maturity, vision, and ability to influence high-stakes matches have drawn comparisons to legendary Spanish forwards of the past.
READ ALSO: Barcelona wins 28th La Liga title
Dembele, on the other hand, had a glittering season with Paris Saint-Germain, securing a treble that includes the UEFA Champions League, French Ligue 1 title, and Coupe de France.
Despite his impressive achievements, his performance against Spain in the semi-final was less impactful, a factor Schweinsteiger appears to have weighed in his judgment.
The Ballon d’Or race this year is shaping up to be one of the most competitive in recent history, with multiple contenders from different leagues and nationalities staking their claim.
Both Yamal and Dembele are among the top names being considered, alongside other footballing elites like Jude Bellingham, Kylian Mbappé, and Erling Haaland.
While individual performances in key tournaments such as the Nations League and UEFA Champions League will be critical, influence on club and country success also plays a major role.
Yamal’s rise, considering his age and consistency in big matches, could see him finish surprisingly high in the rankings—or even contend for the top spot, depending on Spain’s outcome in the final.
Football pundits and fans continue to debate the criteria for the Ballon d’Or, and Schweinsteiger’s comment has added more fuel to the discussion.
As the football world waits to see who will ultimately take home the golden ball, performances in the coming weeks will be crucial in determining the winner.
DailyPost
