Ousmane Dembélé has emerged as the leading contender for the 2025 Ballon d’Or after a pivotal performance that propelled Paris Saint-Germain to victory in the UEFA Super Cup. Named Player of the Match, he orchestrated the late comeback that delivered PSG history in Udine.
Tottenham Hotspur seemed in control after opening a 2‑0 lead with goals from Micky van de Ven and Cristian Romero. Yet PSG refused to buckle. Lee Kang‑in whittled down the deficit in the 85th minute, and Gonçalo Ramos leapt onto a pinpoint Dembélé cross deep into stoppage time to send the showdown to penalties.
In the shootout, PSG held their nerve with Nuno Mendes ultimately netting the winning penalty to clinch a 4‑3 victory. The result marked PSG’s first-ever UEFA Super Cup title and capped an outstanding start to their 2025 season.
Dembélé’s influence didn’t go unnoticed. UEFA lauded his unwavering belief even when trailing, while fans online chanted “Ousmane Ballon d’Or” in celebration of his clutch assist and calm in the shootout.
This triumph adds to a glittering 2025 haul for Dembélé—he already owns the Ligue 1, Champions League, Coupe de France, Trophée des Champions, and now the Super Cup. Only the Club World Cup eludes PSG this year, after a final loss to Chelsea.
Analysts and media are now aligned: Dembélé is “a huge favourite to win the Ballon d’Or” following his consistent presence on the biggest stages. His form across multiple titles makes it hard for others to leapfrog him.
With the Super Cup victory reinforcing PSG’s dominance—and Dembélé shining under pressure—the race for Europe’s most prestigious individual award now tilts in his favour. Fans and pundits alike are watching closely: can anyone stop his golden year?
