Saudi Pro League striker Karl Toko Ekambi has endorsed PSG winger Ousmane Dembele for the Ballon d’Or 2025 and dismissed Barcelona’s Lamine Yamal’s chances. He also called for more national support for French players.
Dembele had his best season ever, with the Frenchman scoring 33 goals and adding 15 assists in 49 games.
His performances played a key role in PSG’s historic quadruple: Ligue 1, Coupe de France, Trophee des Champions, and Champions League.
Lamine Yamal also had a great season with 18 goals and 25 assists in 55 games across all competitions, helping Barcelona win 3 domestic trophies: the Spanish Super Cup, Copa Del Rey, and La Liga.
Ekambi believes Dembele’s better output makes him the only logical Ballon d’Or choice.
“Compared to the criteria they give us all the time, we shouldn’t even discuss it!.” Al-Ettifaq striker said. (Via Le10Sport)
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“The Spanish always stand firmly behind their players, 200 percent,”
“In France, all we do is criticize ours! Normally, we should all be backing Ousmane Dembele, but people keep finding faults with him.”
Dembele needs French backing
Frustrated with what he sees as bias, Ekambi argued that national perception could influence voting.
“Do you think if a Spanish player had Dembele’s season, people would be talking? They wouldn’t say a word! They’d just be waiting for him to be handed the trophy,” he said.
“The problem is, they just don’t want to give it to Dembele. And I also think that, maybe, it bothers the French that Dembele could win a Ballon d’Or before Mbappe.”
