Ousmane Dembele Backs Lamine Yamal to Win “Several Ballon d’Or Awards” After Emotional Golden Ball Speech

When Paris Saint-Germain star Ousmane Dembele walked up to the podium to collect the 2025 Golden Ball, few expected what came next. This was not just another acceptance speech – this was Dembele at his most heartfelt, his most human. The winger, who has dazzled in Paris since leaving Barcelona, spoke about his family, his journey, and the young man he believes will dominate football in the years to come: Barcelona’s teenage sensation Lamine Yamal.

Dembele’s Praise for Yamal

The PSG forward didn’t just congratulate Yamal – he put him on the highest pedestal imaginable.

“Lamine Yamal is an exceptional young man,” Dembele told the crowd, his voice steady and full of admiration. “A wonderful player with great maturity. I believe he will win several Ballon d’Or awards.”

Those are bold words, especially coming from someone who just beat Yamal to this year’s Golden Ball. But Dembele’s relationship with Barcelona remains a warm one, and he clearly sees Yamal as the future of Spanish football.

A Golden Ball and a Tearful Tribute

Dembele’s speech wasn’t all about Yamal. As he reached the final part, emotions took over. The PSG man paused, his voice cracking as he thanked the person who has stood by him through thick and thin.

“To my mother, I want to thank you,” Dembele said, tears streaming down his face. “You have always been there for me, mama. To my family, we have experienced so much together. We have been through it all. We will always be together.”

It was a rare glimpse of vulnerability from a player who has often let his football do the talking. The room erupted in applause, and even Yamal, sitting a few rows back, stood to clap his former team-mate.

Yamal’s Rise Shows No Signs of Slowing

Dembele backs Yamal to win ‘several’ Golden Balls

Dembele’s prediction for Yamal might not be far-fetched. At just 18, the Barcelona winger is already one of La Liga’s brightest stars. He has started the 2025-26 campaign in blistering form, registering five goal contributions in his first three matches. His mix of flair, intelligence, and composure beyond his years has drawn comparisons to Lionel Messi – and now, thanks to Dembele, the weight of Ballon d’Or expectations is firmly on his young shoulders.

Barcelona fans will be hoping Yamal’s current injury is nothing serious. Reports suggest he may miss the next league game against Oviedo, but he is expected back soon. For a team still trying to find consistency under Xavi, Yamal’s return can’t come soon enough.

Dembele and Yamal: A Tale of Two Careers

There is something poetic about Dembele praising Yamal. Dembele himself was once the bright young hope of Barcelona, the big-money signing who was supposed to usher in a new era after Neymar’s departure. Injuries and inconsistency meant things never quite worked out the way everyone imagined.

But in Paris, Dembele has rediscovered his form and confidence. He has become the player that Barcelona once hoped he would be, combining speed, skill, and an eye for goal. Winning the Golden Ball is the ultimate vindication of his decision to leave Spain and take on a new challenge.

Yamal, meanwhile, represents the next chapter of Barcelona’s story. If Dembele’s words are anything to go by, we might be watching the birth of football’s next global superstar.

PSG Star Expected Back in Action Soon

Dembele’s emotional night came with one small caveat: he is currently nursing a knock. PSG manager Luis Enrique has said he expects the winger to be fit for next weekend’s Ligue 1 clash with Auxerre. Given Dembele’s form, his return will be a welcome boost as PSG look to maintain their push for domestic and European glory.

The Bigger Picture: What This Means for Barcelona and PSG

GFX Ousmane Dembele Lamine Yamal

For Barcelona, Yamal’s injury is a reminder of how much responsibility is on such young shoulders. The Catalan club are counting on their academy graduate to deliver, but they must also be careful not to burn him out too early.

For PSG, Dembele’s award is a sign that the club’s ambitious project is paying off. After years of near-misses, they finally have a player recognised as the best in the world. The challenge now is to turn individual success into Champions League glory – the one prize that continues to elude them.

Football’s Future Looks Bright

In the end, Dembele’s speech was about more than just a trophy. It was about legacy, about passing the torch, and about recognising greatness when you see it. Yamal may still be a teenager, but with players like Dembele backing him, his path to superstardom seems all but inevitable.

Football fans love to debate who will win the next Ballon d’Or, who will dominate the next decade. After Baku, Paris, and everything in between, we might have our answer – and it could come in the form of a young winger wearing the famous blaugrana shirt.