Barcelona Icon Shocks Fans by Overlooking Rising Star Lamine Yamal in Bold 2025 Ballon d'Or Prediction

Former Barcelona midfielder Sergio Busquets chose not to endorse Lamine Yamal when questioned about his preference for the 2025 Ballon d'Or winner.

Following outstanding displays that helped drive Spain to Euro 2024 glory last summer, Yamal had a remarkable 2024–25 campaign as Barcelona secured a commanding domestic treble.

While Busquets acknowledged that Yamal and Raphinha "are worthy candidates" as well, the 37-year-old expressed his desire for another ex-Barcelona colleague to claim the 2025 world's best player award.

"My hope is that Ousmane Dembélé takes home the 2025 Ballon d'Or," Busquets shared with the media.

"We understand his capabilities as a player, the impact he creates and his potential. Naturally, I have former teammates at Barcelona who are deserving, but I'm uncertain how the voting panel will make their choice and what factors will prove decisive."

Yamal's emergence at just 15 years old occurred during Busquets' closing two months with Barcelona in 2023, while Raphinha was a teammate for one campaign following his 2022 move from Leeds United. The experienced midfielder also shared the pitch with Dembélé across six seasons.

Dembélé initially failed to justify Barcelona's investment, joining for a club-record €145 million ($169.1 million) in 2017 following an impressive campaign at Borussia Dortmund. Expected to fill Neymar's void, the French winger battled injuries and displayed unprofessional behavior.

In a twist of fate, Dembélé ended up succeeding Neymar once more when he left Barcelona for Paris Saint-Germain in 2023, departing for significantly less than his original transfer fee. His debut season returning to France since his teenage years at Rennes proved disappointing. However, everything clicked and Dembélé enjoyed his finest campaign in 2024–25, embracing a fresh No. 9 position, accumulating 51 goals and assists, and proving instrumental in securing Ligue 1, Coupe de France and, crucially, the Champions League.

BBC Sport writer and Barcelona specialist Guillem Balagué revealed in early 2025 that the key to Dembélé's transformation a decade into his professional journey was simply personal maturity. The irresponsible youth who frequently arrived late to Barcelona practice due to extended gaming sessions had evolved, reportedly beginning his positive transformation—growing up—after wedding his partner in a private ceremony in 2021, with their first baby arriving within twelve months.

Following PSG's multiple victories last season surpassing Barcelona's achievements, Dembélé stands as the leading contender for the 2025 Ballon d'Or when the yearly event occurs in Paris on Sep. 22.