Ousmane Dembele Faces Scrutiny Despite Ballon d’Or Favouritism

Ousmane Dembele’s Ballon d’Or Ambitions Under the Microscope

Ousmane Dembele, the French winger, has found himself at the center of football discussions as he emerges as the frontrunner for the 2025 Ballon d’Or. After his pivotal contributions to Paris Saint-Germain’s treble-winning campaign, many fans and analysts expected him to be instantly recognized as a world-class talent. Yet, his absence from GOAL’s esteemed World-Class Club for 2025 has sparked debate and raised crucial questions about what truly defines a footballer of world-class stature.

Ousmane Dembele’s Ballon d’Or Journey

Ousmane Dembele’s Ballon d’Or hopes are grounded in his exceptional impact during the 2024-25 season. Dembele delivered when it mattered most, showcasing his flair, pace, and creative vision as PSG clinched the league title, domestic cup, and Champions League. His ability to turn matches with individual brilliance was undeniable and formed the backbone of his squad’s success.

Despite this, critics remain cautious. Before his remarkable season at PSG, Dembele was often labeled inconsistent, prone to injuries, and frustratingly unfulfilled in terms of his immense potential. These concerns, coupled with a career marked by highs and lows at both Barcelona and PSG, have led to divided opinions regarding his world-class credentials.

Why Ousmane Dembele Missed the World-Class Club

The exclusion of Ousmane Dembele from GOAL’s World-Class Club is not a dismissal of his recent form but a reflection of a more holistic assessment. Being world-class requires sustained excellence, consistency, and leadership over multiple seasons—qualities that Dembele has only recently begun to display with regularity.

GOAL’s selection process weighs both current form and the track record. Although Dembele is the Ballon d’Or favourite, his overall career arc has only just started to align with the standards set by previous inductees. His electrifying performances this season show a player who may finally be realizing his immense potential, yet the panel holds that a single campaign does not erase years of inconsistency.

The Duality of Dembele: Talent and Frustration

Ousmane Dembele encapsulates one of the sport’s most fascinating dualities: a player capable of both genius and disappointment in equal measure. His dribbling, acceleration, and unpredictability make him a nightmare for defenders, but his journey has also been marred by long injury layoffs and questions about his attitude and professionalism.

World-class status in football is about more than fleeting brilliance—it’s about reliability, leadership, and a steady impact at the highest level. Dembele, for all his recent heroics, still has to prove he can maintain this level season after season.

What Dembele Must Do to Cement His Status

If Ousmane Dembele is to be recognized among the global elite, consistency will be key. He must continue to perform week in and week out, avoid injury setbacks, and demonstrate maturity on and off the pitch. World-class players set benchmarks, raise standards for others, and perform on the biggest stages repeatedly—not just once.

Should Dembele build on his Ballon d’Or-calibre season, his place among football’s elite will become indisputable. Until then, the debate around his world-class credentials is likely to continue, fueled by both his dazzling talent and the lingering doubts from earlier in his career.

Looking to the Future: Can Dembele Sustain His Form?

All eyes will be on Dembele as PSG look to defend their titles and as France heads into major international tournaments. The expectations are immense, and while his recent performances have silenced many doubters, only sustained excellence will cement his legacy.

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Opinion: Dembele’s Next Chapter Will Define His Legacy

Ousmane Dembele’s journey is a powerful narrative of untapped potential finally coming to fruition. While his current season undoubtedly puts him in the Ballon d’Or spotlight, the essence of being world-class lies in the ability to sustain greatness. If Dembele can maintain this dazzling form and continue to evolve, his place among football’s elite will be unquestioned. As it stands, his story is still being written—and the next chapters will decide if he becomes a legend or remains a tantalizing ‘what if’ in football history.