PSG crushes Real Madrid: Give the Ballon d'Or to Dembele

PSG's 4-0 win over Real Madrid is confirmation that Ousmane Dembele deserves to win the 2025 Ballon d'Or more than Lamine Yamal.

PSG hero

Four months ago, in the first leg of the 2024 Champions League round of 16, PSG had a spectacular performance against Liverpool, although paradoxically they lost 0-1.

That night, the Premier League leaders were stifled at the Parc des Princes by the intense high pressure of the future champions, with Ousmane Dembele and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia suffocating the Kop whenever they lost possession.

Dembele participated in 2 goals in the first 9 minutes. Photo: FIFA

Since then, big teams in Europe have understood that the only way to escape such pressure from PSG is to pass long and minimize risks.

At MetLife Stadium, in the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup semi-final, Real Madrid did not do that.

The serious mistakes of Raul Asencio and Antonio Rudiger were thoroughly exploited by Dembele. He played the highest position for PSG, a "false 9" but was the first spearhead in Luis Enrique's pressing system to defend from a distance.

No one would have bet on this 10 months ago, when Luis Enrique held one of his early-season press conferences.

“Ousmane is very smart about applying pressure,” he said softly. No one present took him seriously.

But since then, Dembele – dubbed the chaotic genius – who once could not maintain the minimum concentration has now become the team's typical offensive and defensive model.

A star who not only knows how to finish situations in the penalty area, but is also the link that brings cohesion to the whole system.

PSG's incredible coordination in ball recovery is reflected in the eye-popping statistics. In the first half alone, the Ligue 1 giants won 26 challenges, compared to just 10 for Real Madrid.

Dembele had an explosive season. Photo: PSG Inside

They were also successful in all 7 tackles, while their opponents only had 1. Tactical perfection was also evident when they had the ball: PSG achieved a 96% passing accuracy rate (384/402), controlling the ball up to 77%.

Dembele deserves the Ballon d'Or

“We are living a special season, a special moment,” Luis Enrique said at a press conference, fully aware of the excellence his players are achieving – especially Dembele , who has just returned to the first team after a thigh injury.

“He was the best player of the season, even better than the rest. Ousmane deserved to win everything; he gave everything for the team , ” the former Spain coach assessed.

Dembele was the difference maker when he scored two quick goals for PSG.

The last time Madrid conceded two goals in the opening nine minutes of a match was in February 2017, when Simone Zaza and Fabian Orellana scored for Valencia at the Mestalla.

At the same time, Dembele became the first player in 22 years to score and assist in the first 10 minutes of a match against Real Madrid – since the 2002/03 season.

Dembele deserves the Ballon d'Or. Photo: Imago

Those numbers speak to the current difference, both individually and collectively, between the last two Champions League winners. PSG and Dembele have taught Real Madrid an important lesson.

Dembele has just scored his 35th goal of the season in all competitions – scored in five different competitions.

“ Regarding the Ballon d'Or, I have made it clear who should win it ,” Luis Enrique emphasized when asked about the most prestigious individual award in world football for a player .

“ I would give the whole team the award if I could, but the one who deserves the Ballon d'Or is Dembele . He is far above the rest.”

Lamine Yamal had an emotional season with Barcelona. However, both individually and collectively, considering all the trophies won and the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup final, Dembele deserves to be honored by France Football and UEFA.

Source: https://vietnamnet.vn/psg-thang-real-madrid-4-0-qua-bong-vang-cho-ousmane-dembele-2420140.html