Yamal, Dembélé in Ballon d’Or clash?
Football
Lamine Yamal and Ousmane Dembélé could steal the spotlight and shape the race for the next Ballon d'Or.
Today’s Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) Nations League semi-final between Spain and France at 21:00 has evolved into more than just a clash between two European heavyweights. It is now being billed as a potential decider for France’s most coveted football souvenir: the Ballon d’Or.
All eyes will be on Stuttgart as 17-year-old Spanish sensation Lamine Yamal faces off against the resurgent Ousmane Dembélé in a match that could shape both the final and the individual honours conversation for 2025.
Yamal, fresh off a historic Euro 2024 win with Spain, has captured the football world’s imagination. Despite his age, the Barcelona winger’s maturity and match-winning ability have sparked early whispers of Ballon d’Or contention. But he is not caught up in the noise.
During an interview on the Spanish radio programme El Larguero, Yamal said: “If you were voting for the Ballon d'Or, would you choose the best player of the year, or the one who wins the match [today]?” Yamal said earlier in the week. “What I do is play and try to win. If it comes, it comes.”
Standing in his way is Dembélé, who has enjoyed a stellar season for Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) and France, rekindling the form that once made him one of Europe’s hottest prospects. With key players missing from both sides, Dembélé’s creativity and experience could prove decisive.
France are without key defenders Dayot Upamecano, Jules Koundé and William Saliba, while Spain are missing midfield lynchpin Rodri due to injury. Dani Olmo and Nico Williams are expected to step up, alongside captain Álvaro Morata, as Spain aim to reach back-to-back finals.
France and Spain are the two most recent Nations League winners and both have strong cases to lift the trophy again. But beyond the result, this semi-final represents something deeper. It will serve as a symbolic passing of the torch, or a reclaiming of lost brilliance.
The Nations League may lack the glamour of older tournaments, but with two dynamic wingers vying for the game’s highest individual honour, it now feels like essential viewing.
Yamal. Dembélé. A final spot on the line. And maybe, just maybe, the Ballon d’Or too.
All eyes will be on Stuttgart as 17-year-old Spanish sensation Lamine Yamal faces off against the resurgent Ousmane Dembélé in a match that could shape both the final and the individual honours conversation for 2025.
Yamal, fresh off a historic Euro 2024 win with Spain, has captured the football world’s imagination. Despite his age, the Barcelona winger’s maturity and match-winning ability have sparked early whispers of Ballon d’Or contention. But he is not caught up in the noise.
During an interview on the Spanish radio programme El Larguero, Yamal said: “If you were voting for the Ballon d'Or, would you choose the best player of the year, or the one who wins the match [today]?” Yamal said earlier in the week. “What I do is play and try to win. If it comes, it comes.”
Standing in his way is Dembélé, who has enjoyed a stellar season for Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) and France, rekindling the form that once made him one of Europe’s hottest prospects. With key players missing from both sides, Dembélé’s creativity and experience could prove decisive.
France are without key defenders Dayot Upamecano, Jules Koundé and William Saliba, while Spain are missing midfield lynchpin Rodri due to injury. Dani Olmo and Nico Williams are expected to step up, alongside captain Álvaro Morata, as Spain aim to reach back-to-back finals.
France and Spain are the two most recent Nations League winners and both have strong cases to lift the trophy again. But beyond the result, this semi-final represents something deeper. It will serve as a symbolic passing of the torch, or a reclaiming of lost brilliance.
The Nations League may lack the glamour of older tournaments, but with two dynamic wingers vying for the game’s highest individual honour, it now feels like essential viewing.
Yamal. Dembélé. A final spot on the line. And maybe, just maybe, the Ballon d’Or too.
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