But the favorite is different.
5th place. Dezire Due (Paris Saint-Germain)
The guys outside the top three have no chance of a “golden ball” – understandably so. But they should be noted anyway. Especially considering that one of them is Renna’s 20-year-old pupil, who after the transition to PSG was considered a rotation player.
Dezire shouldn’t have gained a foothold early on – the competition was too fierce. From the start of the season, Bradley Barkol was established as the leader: the winger closed down the left flank, but could also be freed up on the right. After 11 rounds of Ligue 1, he has already scored 10 goals. On the opposite side, Luis Enrique placed his trust in Usman Dembele. The Frenchman gave the team speed and attacking power, and in December, he scored his goals. In the winter, Khvich Kwarazheliya was also added to the squad—to maintain his attacking potential, Usman was moved to the striker. In such a setup, a 20-year-old player simply didn’t have a place on the field. And that’s how the player who thrived in such conditions is admired. The player found himself in the center of the field and immediately began to deliver results. By February, the center-half was already regularly leaving the opening minutes and assisting in effective plays. According to the championship results, he scored six goals and six assists, and most importantly, he became a key figure in all the decisive matches. In the Cup final against Reims, Dezire set up two of Paris’s three goals. And the climax – the Champions League final. He didn’t just play in the match against Inter, the 20-year-old scored the first three goals for the Parisians. At first, he assisted with a set piece, then scored a brace.
4th place. Mohamed Salah (Liverpool) If Liverpool had maintained their previous pace, Mo would have become the favorite. But stamina wasn’t enough. In the Champions League, the Reds fell to the eventual winner of the tournament,Pari Sen-Zhermen PSG
. The winner was decided by millimeters—ironically, the leader
Pari Sen-Zhermen
PSG 3rd place. Rafina (Barcelona)The Brazilian’s development inspires respect. It’s even a backstory. He wasn’t seen as an important part of the Catalans—he was brought in to replace Dembele, although Havi had faith in Usman. Rafina played an uncomfortable position on the left, but even after the departure of the competitor, he was forced to stay there, as Lamin Yamal shone almost immediately. In the summer of 2024, despite all his efforts, he risked being benched – Blaugrana was dreaming of Nico Williams. Golden Ball ZM
He’s unlikely to be the contender.
2nd place. Lamin Yamal (Barcelona)
Even with such performances, Rafinya is doomed to be a young genius. Yes, the Brazilian is much more effective this season. But Yamal’s main selling point is the balance between the quality Winger provides and his age. At 17, he doesn’t just play on equal terms with men. He sets the pace for Barca and the Spanish national team, turning the team into a bold and colorful underdog (this has recently been further confirmed). There’s a certain performance marker: five goals and four assholes in the Champions League, nine goals and 15 assists for Los Angeles, two goals and six assists in the Copa del Rey, and two goals in a superb penalty shootout. There are trophies: Barça closed the season with the league title, a cup victory, and the Super Cup. ZM. 1st place. Usman Dembele (“Paris Saint-Germain”)
But if Lamin is the main contender, then Dembele is quite the favorite. Four goals from Usman at the end of the general scene
League of Champions League They helped the Parisians jump into games from behind, and it began with the team’s triumphant path. With Liverpool in the last-16 final – a decisive goal, with Villa – two shins. A goal and an assist in the semi-final with the Gunners, and most importantly, a brace against Inter in the final.33 goals and 15 assists in 49 matches in all tournaments – a powerful argument. On the other hand, Lamin played with Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid in Los Angeles, and
Pari Sen-Zhermen Usman met no resistance in France. Additionally, Lamin seemed more stable over the course of the season – Dembele had a chance to retrench for a brilliant segment. Lamin also has greater recognition. But the Frenchman has the main argument: victory in the Champions League. The Parisians have collected all the trophies at their disposal. The question is whether recognition, brilliance, and stability, or efficiency and a trophy collection, prevail.Usman Dembele
Usman Dembele
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