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Former Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) centre-back Mamadou Sakho has backed Ousmane Dembele to win the 2025 Ballon d'Or. The 35-year-old also wants the French players and media to favour the former Barcelona attacker in the race for the coveted individual prize.
Mamadou Sakho, who plays for FC Torpedo Kutaisi in Georgia, believes Dembele had an exceptional 2024-25 season with Luis Enrique's side and should win the Ballon d'Or over Barcelona's Lamine Yamal. He also acknowledged Franck Ribery, who finished third in the Ballon d'Or race behind Lionel Messi and eventual winner Cristiano Ronaldo in 2013.
Sakho stated that French players and journalists should back Dembele for the 2025 Ballon d'Or. He said on RTL (via French Football Weekly):
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"For me, all French people must support Dembele, Point Barre. Lamine Yamal is a Spaniard. We are French, I am French. And I want a French player who has had an exceptional season, who had won everything, wins the Ballon d'Or. And I do not understand, in our country, how some journalists can still make a doubt on it."
"I'm sorry, we have to be all together. And with what he proved, what he showed this year, for me, Dembele must have the Ballon d'Or. We must support him. As at the time for Ribery, I think everyone did not argue, and I find it a shame." He added.
Les Parisiens won their first UEFA Champions League title, with Ousmane Dembele staring for the treble-winning PSG. In 49 appearances across all competitions for the Ligue 1 giants, the Frenchman scored 33 goals and provided 15 assists.
Ryan Gravenberch names the player he thinks should win the Ballon d'Or
Liverpool midfielder Ryan Gravenberch believes Mohamed Salah should win the Ballon d'Or. The former Bayern Munich midfielder snubbed PSG's Ousmane Dembele and Barcelona's Lamine Yamal.
Currently on national duty with the Dutch football team, the 23-year-old was asked to name his pick for the prestigious individual accolade. Replying to the question, Gravenberch named Mohamed Salah. He said (via The Touchline on X)
"I would give the Ballon d'Or to (Mohamed) Mo Salah."
The Egyptian attacker was Liverpool's top star last season, scoring 34 goals and providing 23 assists across competitions. He played a pivotal role in guiding the Reds to the Premier League. Salah was named the 'Player of the Season' and also won the Premier League Golden Boot with 29 goals.
However, the Reds' disappointing elimination against PSG in the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 came as a major blow to Salah's Ballon d'Or chances. Liverpool also lost to Newcastle United in the EFL Cup final and were eliminated in the FA Cup fourth round by Plymouth Argyle.
