Michael Owen Tips PSG’s Ousmane Dembele for 2025 Ballon d’Or

Former Manchester United and Real Madrid striker Michael Owen has named Paris Saint-Germain winger Ousmane Dembele as his pick to win the 2025 Ballon d’Or.

Owen argued that Dembele has been the standout performer over the past year, edging out rising Barcelona star Lamine Yamal and Liverpool’s talisman Mohamed Salah.

Speaking to Sportskeeda, Owen said:

“Yamal must have a good chance. He is an incredibly talented player.
I thought Paris Saint-Germain was just brilliant last year, and I think Dembele probably would be my pick.
Mo Salah deserves another honourable mention. He gets a mention every year.
But with PSG having such a good season, I think that tips the balance and personally, I would vote for Dembele.”

The Frenchman was sensational last season, scoring 35 goals and providing 16 assists, firing PSG to an incredible quadruple — the UEFA Champions League, French Ligue 1, UEFA Super Cup, and French Cup under Luis Enrique.

Opinion: Could This Really Be Dembele’s Year?

For years, Ousmane Dembele has carried the tag of unfulfilled potential — flashes of brilliance at Barcelona overshadowed by inconsistency and injuries. But in Paris, something has clicked. Last season, he wasn’t just a dazzling dribbler; he became a complete forward — a game-changer in big matches and a leader on the pitch.

Owen’s choice might surprise some, especially with teenage sensation Lamine Yamal lighting up La Liga and Salah continuing his legacy at Liverpool. Yet, football’s biggest individual prize often rewards players who marry personal brilliance with team success — and Dembele has both in abundance.

If he does win, it won’t just be a Ballon d’Or for his trophy cabinet; it will be a redemption story — proof that patience, hard work, and the right environment can transform a nearly man into football’s very best.