Who is the player who deserves the Ballon d'Or '20 times more' than Ousmane Dembele? Spain legend makes surprising claim
Updated 20/07/2025 at 17:06 GMT+1
Fervent speculation continues to surround the 2025 men's Ballon d'Or, with the FIFA Club World Cup muddying the waters further. Had Ousmane Dembele already done enough to seal the award in the voters' minds? Or did his underwhelming performance in the final give a chance to others, such as player of the tournament Cole Palmer? A Spain legend has given a forthright view.
De Bruyne reveals he had 'lots of offers' but 'the best' was Napoli
Video credit: SNTV
Ousmane Dembele has, to most observers, put himself in the lead in the contest to win the 2025 men's Ballon d'Or - but not in the opinion of a Spain legend.
Indeed, former Real Madrid, Valencia and Spain goalkeeper Santiago Canizares believes there are a couple of Dembele's Paris Saint-Germain team-mates that far outstrip the French forward in terms of their worthiness for the award.
The men's Ballon d'Or nominees will be announced on August 7, with a first-time winner again expected after Rodri's win last year.
Speaking on Cope's Tiempo de Juego programme, Canizares said: "Achraf [Hakimi] deserves the Ballon d'Or 20 times more, or Vitinha, than Dembele.
"I'm fed up with them giving it to forwards. Every now and then it should be given to a full-back who has a season like Achraf or a midfielder like Vitinha.
"Absolutely nothing happens, it [giving it to a non-forward] doesn't detract from the award at all."
Canizares v Ferdinand?
It would be interesting to put Canizares and Rio Ferdinand in a head-to-head debate.
The former Manchester United defender, speaking on TNT Sports last season, set out a wholly divergent view, after Rodri's win provoked discussion about whether forwards are favoured for the award.
"It's mad, I was a defender when I was playing, so people think I would be on the defender's side," Ferdinand said.
"I do not want to see a defender win the Ballon d'Or. I know what their value is, they are important, but they do not excite me.
"I want to see a player that is taking on people, running past people, embarrassing defenders or midfielders. Ronaldinho, R9 [Ronaldo], [Lionel] Messi, these are Ballon d'Or winners. I want it to continue like that in that vein."
/origin-imgresizer.tntsports.io/2024/09/18/4041613-81969913-2560-1440.jpg)
'I come to get entertained' – Ferdinand admits he would not pick Rodri to win Ballon d'Or
Video credit: TNT Sports
Dembele has plenty of supporters
There are many others who do not share Canizares' view on Dembele, among them Luis Enrique and Gael Clichy.
"The Ballon d'Or rewards players who are decisive," former Manchester City and Arsenal defender Clichy recently told RMC Sport.
"You have to take into account individual statistics, which have been highlighted by Cristiano [Ronaldo] and Lionel Messi.
"This year, Dembele has some pretty crazy numbers. For me today, Dembele is the winner hands down."
Dembele will likely compete with the likes of Lamine Yamal, Raphinha and his PSG team-mates Hakimi, Vitinha and Nuno Mendes for the men's Ballon d'Or.
It will be handed out at Le Theatre du Chatelet, Paris on September 22.
-
Stream the Premier League, Men’s and Women’s FA Cup, UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League, UEFA Conference League and more on TNT Sports and discovery+
Related Topics
Thoughts?
Advertisement
Advertisement