Gavi backs Lamine Yamal to win Ballon d'Or ahead of Ousmane Dembele after 'exceptional' season for Barcelona

Gavi is backing Barcelona team-mate Lamine Yamal to claim Ballon d’Or honours ahead of Champions League-winning PSG star Ousmane Dembele.

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• Dembele savoured Champions League glory
• Considered to be favourite for Golden Ball
• Teenage wonderkid is also in the running

• Table of Contents

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  WHAT HAPPENED?

  The race to land a prestigious Golden Ball in 2025 is well and truly on after a thrilling end to another domestic and continental season. Several household names consider themselves to be in with a chance of being named the best player on the planet.

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  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Mohamed Salah enjoyed another record-setting campaign at Premier League champions Liverpool, while World Cup winner Dembele registered 33 goals for treble-winning Paris Saint-Germain as they made history by savouring European Cup success for the first time.

• DID YOU KNOW?

  Brazil international Raphinha enjoyed a stunning season with Barca, as they won three trophies of their own, while his club colleague Yamal has become a global superstar at just 17 years of age.

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  WHAT GAVI SAID

  Gavi believes that the teenage wonderkid deserves Ballon d’Or recognition, telling on Catalunya Radio: “Dembele has had an incredible season and should be in the top three for sure, but what Lamine has done this season is exceptional, a unique player.”