A Ballon d’Or Full of Surprise

The 2025 Ballon d’Or gala at the Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris crowned Ousmane Dembélé as the best player in the world, beating out Lamine Yamal, the Barcelona prodigy who arrived as one of the big favorites. The 28-year-old Frenchman, leader of PSG’s Champions League triumph, prevailed in a ceremony that shifted the narrative of the award.

The young Spaniard’s reaction was one of disbelief. When Dembélé’s name was announced, cameras caught Yamal with a serious expression, far from the usual smile with which he faces every challenge.

The Party That Never Happened

The defeat was even more striking because Yamal had planned a private celebration in Paris in case he won. He had traveled with 20 family members and friends, all dressed by Dolce & Gabbana, ready to close the night with an exclusive party. Those plans, however, vanished after the PSG forward’s victory.

The blow was tough, not only for what it meant personally but also because his inner circle had shown complete confidence that the award was destined for him.

The Prodigy’s Silence

Since the gala, Lamine Yamal has remained silent on social media. No message congratulating Dembélé, no personal reflection on what happened. The only voice from his entourage came from his father, Mounir Nasraoui, who posted a brief but defiant message: “We will return”, alongside a photo with Barcelona president Joan Laporta.

That defiant tone made it clear that the ambition remains intact and that the setback is just one chapter in a career that is only beginning.

A Future Full of Opportunities

Yamal is only 18 years old, and this seems to be just the first of many nights in which he will fight for the Ballon d’Or. The future is on his side, even if for now the throne belongs to Ousmane Dembélé. The story of Lamine Yamal is just beginning, and the promise is that he will come back stronger.