Hold on to your hats, football fans! A Barcelona legend has just made a shock Ballon d’Or prediction for 2025, and it’s not who you might think. He’s snubbing a young prodigy for a player whose career has seen an incredible turnaround. Who could it be, and what’s behind this surprising choice?
The football world is abuzz following a surprising declaration from Barcelona legend Sergio Busquets regarding his pick for the coveted 2025 Ballon d’Or. In a move that has ignited debate across social media, Busquets notably bypassed the prodigious talent of Lamine Yamal, instead throwing his weight behind a former teammate whose career trajectory has seen a remarkable transformation: Ousmane Dembélé.
Lamine Yamal, the young phenom from FC Barcelona, has captivated audiences with his electrifying performances and precocious skill set. His meteoric rise to prominence had many pundits and fans alike considering him a strong dark horse contender for future individual accolades, including the prestigious Ballon d’Or. However, it seems that for some seasoned veterans, other narratives currently hold more sway.
Busquets’ endorsement of Ousmane Dembélé marks a significant moment, highlighting the French forward’s dramatic return to elite form. Once seen as a mercurial talent plagued by inconsistency and injury during his time at FC Barcelona, Dembélé’s recent exploits with Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) have reshaped perceptions and placed him firmly in the conversation for football’s most coveted individual honor.
The secret behind Dembélé’s sudden resurgence, according to Barcelona expert Guillem Balagué, lies in a profound personal evolution. A decade into his professional career, the winger has reportedly shed the image of a reckless youngster, frequently late for training due to late-night gaming sessions. This personal maturation has been a critical factor in his newfound stability and consistent performance on the pitch.
This period of significant personal change reportedly began around 2021 when Dembélé married his girlfriend in a low-key ceremony, with the couple welcoming their first child within the subsequent year. These life-altering events are widely believed to have provided him with a new sense of purpose and responsibility, directly impacting his professional discipline and focus, a stark contrast to his earlier years at Camp Nou.
Following his high-profile move to Paris Saint-Germain, Dembélé’s revitalized approach quickly bore fruit. His dazzling dribbling, increased goal contributions, and improved tactical awareness played a pivotal role in PSG’s various triumphs last season, significantly outperforming his former club, FC Barcelona, in terms of collective silverware and impact.
These collective achievements with PSG, coupled with his individual brilliance and newfound consistency, have positioned Dembélé as the overall favorite to clinch the 2025 Ballon d’Or. The anticipation for the annual ceremony, scheduled to take place in Paris on September 22nd, is already building, with many eager to see if Busquets’ bold prediction will materialize into reality, solidifying Dembélé’s remarkable turnaround story.
While the debate surrounding the 2025 Ballon d’Or continues to rage, the surprising choice by Sergio Busquets has certainly added another intriguing layer to the discussion. It underscores the ever-changing landscape of elite football and the unpredictable nature of individual accolades, where personal growth can profoundly influence professional destiny, shifting focus from emerging talents like Lamine Yamal to resurgent stars like Ousmane Dembélé.
