Jules Kounde Speaks Out: Who Deserves the Ballon d'Or Between Lamine Yamal and Ousmane Dembélé?

Jules Koundé declined to pick a favorite between his Barcelona colleague Lamine Yamal and his French compatriot Ousmane Dembélé for the 2025 Ballon d'Or award.

Football's most coveted individual accolade will be presented at the Théâtre du Châtelet on Monday, September 22. The 2025 Ballon d'Or will recognize a debut winner for the second year running, ending an 18-year dominance by Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi.

Yamal and Dembélé stand out among the 30 male candidates following their remarkable 2024–25 seasons. The young prodigy shone for Barcelona, assisting Hansi Flick's team in securing a domestic treble, while Dembélé guided Paris Saint-Germain to an unprecedented quadruple that included the club's maiden Champions League triumph.

The recipient will be selected by 100 journalists representing the top 100 FIFA-ranked countries. Although Koundé has no official voting power for the ceremony in Paris, he wouldn't even offer his personal preference.

"Both [athletes] are worthy," Koundé told reporters during the international break. "They've experienced phenomenal seasons, capturing trophies. As teammates, it's challenging; I won't choose, but there are compelling cases for each."

Yamal concluded the 2024–25 campaign with 18 goals and 21 assists across 55 matches for Barcelona. The Spanish star produced displays in every competition that drew comparisons to Messi from football legends.

Dembélé, on the other hand, recorded 33 goals and 13 assists in 49 games for PSG. The French forward contributed 14 goal involvements in the Champions League exclusively, steering Luis Enrique's team to continental success just one season after Kylian Mbappé's departure.

"I'm delighted to play alongside Lamine Yamal and witness how he leads us, plus observing the progress and excellent form of Ousmane Dembélé, with whom I spent a season at Barcelona," Koundé continued.

Whatever player claims the 2025 Ballon d'Or will enter the company of Messi, Ronaldo and current holder Rodri among football's elite.