Recently, the former legend of football Lilian Thuram reacted strongly to the information according to which Ousmane Dembélé is about to win the Golden Ball 2025. This news surprised many football fans, because although Dembélé has an undeniable talent, he has not yet managed to confirm his place among the best players in the world with a sufficiently impressive season to claim this prestigious trophy.

Thuram, which won the World Cup in 1998, did not hesitate to criticize this decision. He considers that the highlighting of Dembélé as a serious contender for the Ballon d’Or is obvious evidence of favoritism in the world of current football. According to Thuram, the criteria to assess a player worthy of winning the Ballon d’Or must rest on a constant form and a direct contribution to the team as well as significant personal performance.

Dembélé, although he has an exceptional technique and he had a few moments of shine with FC Barcelona and the French team, did not show sufficient stability throughout the season to justify such a reward. Thuram says players like Kylian Mbappé, Erling Haaland or Kevin de Bruyne deserves this title more. These players have shown an impressive form and played a key role in the successes of their teams throughout the season, whether in national or international competitions.

Thuram also points out that if the Ballon d’Or is only awarded to famous players or to stars that have shone during major tournaments, then this prize would lose its value and fairness. He insists that football must recognize the constant efforts and the hard work of the players, rather than focusing only on a few brilliant moments.

Although Dembélé is a great talent, Thuram believes that attributing the Ballon d’Or would be an unfair and unconvincing decision. In reality, players like Mbappé or Haaland have proven their superiority throughout the season, in a demanding and competitive context.

Even if this remains the personal opinion of a former player, Thuram’s words have sparked a debate on the equity of the Ballon d’Or selection process. In such a competitive and ruthless football world, decisions relating to this prestigious trophy always attract great attention and arouse shared opinions.

In the end, what football fans hope is a truly deserved prize, awarded to players who made an exceptional contribution and having demonstrated an extraordinary talent throughout the season. In the end, the Ballon d’Or must reward those who really deserve it, whatever their name or their origin.