Get real time updates directly on you device, subscribe now.
Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) have finally reached European football’s summit, clinching their first-ever UEFA Champions League title in a commanding 5–0 win over Inter Milan in Munich. The historic victory not only solidifies PSG’s place among Europe’s elite but has also fueled a season-long conversation about African excellence on the global football stage. Central to this narrative is Ousmane Dembélé, whose extraordinary form has positioned him as the current frontrunner in the 2025 Ballon d’Or race, while Mohamed Salah and others continue to shape the spotlight.
Under coach Luis Enrique, PSG completed a magnificent treble Ligue 1, French Cup, and Champions League matching the feat Enrique achieved previously with Barcelona. Their Champions League triumph was a showcase of tactical precision and attacking brilliance, with Dembélé playing a central role. The French-born winger of Mauritanian and Senegalese descent contributed two key assists in the final and was named UEFA’s Champions League Player of the Season. With 33 goals and 15 assists across all competitions, Dembélé’s resurgence has been nothing short of spectacular.
The Ballon d’Or conversation this season has been especially shaped by African talent. Mohamed Salah, the Egyptian forward for Liverpool, led early in the season with his outstanding Premier League performances netting 34 goals and providing 23 assists. However, Liverpool’s early exit from European competitions weakened his momentum. On the other hand, Barcelona’s teenage sensation Lamine Yamal has captivated audiences with his dazzling footwork, composure, and consistent impact at just 17 years old, making him another serious contender.
Yet, it is Dembélé’s Champions League dominance and role in PSG’s treble-winning campaign that have made him the clear favorite as of now. Teammates and coach Luis Enrique have openly endorsed him as a top Ballon d’Or candidate, and his all-around performances blending pace, creativity, and consistency have been vital in PSG’s historic season. He now stands at the intersection of individual brilliance and team success, a combination often rewarded in the Ballon d’Or race.
Dembélé’s emergence as the frontrunner marks a broader shift in the football world. For the first time in years, the Ballon d’Or race is seeing African players consistently among the top three, reflecting a deeper appreciation of talent from the continent. The likes of Victor Osimhen, Achraf Hakimi, and André Onana have also had strong seasons, reinforcing Africa’s footprint in European football’s elite spaces.
This evolving narrative comes amid PSG’s own transformation. The club, long mocked for its inability to capture the Champions League despite massive investment, has now silenced critics. Without Lionel Messi and Neymar, and with Kylian Mbappé preparing for a summer departure, PSG’s triumph was achieved with a new identity anchored in youth, discipline, and emerging leaders like Dembélé.
As the football season ends, all eyes turn to the Ballon d’Or ceremony. While there’s still time for international tournaments like Euro 2024 and the Olympic Games to influence final votes, Dembélé currently stands tall among the contenders. His story of resurgence and leadership symbolizes more than personal success, it marks a generational shift where African excellence is no longer overlooked but celebrated on football’s grandest stages.
