Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo have been the face of worldwide soccer for greater than 20 years. Their sustained presence on the prime of the sport has made them idols for newer generations of gamers. Now, Paris Saint-Germain star and Ballon d’Or 2025 favourite Ousmane Dembele has weighed in on the talk.
In a current interview with the official Ballon d’Or account, Dembele took half in a sport the place he had to decide on his favourite from a listing of previous winners. Every time the French winger made a variety, that participant would go up towards the following on the checklist, and so forth.
“Kaka or Luka Modric?” was the primary query — to which Ousmane picked Kaka. Then, in a battle of Brazilians, Ronaldinho bought the nod. “Ronaldinho or Benzema?” was subsequent. “Ah, it’s robust,” mentioned the PSG participant. “The 2021–22 season from Benzema was unimaginable. For his profession path, I’ll say Benzema.”
Dembele and Karim Benzema have been teammates for the French nationwide staff in a number of matches between 2021 and 2022, which additionally explains the extent of respect he confirmed for the Al Ittihad star. They have been each a part of the France squad at Euro 2021, the place the staff was eradicated by Switzerland within the spherical of 16.
Nevertheless, Benzema didn’t keep on the prime for lengthy, as the following identify launched was Ronaldo Nazario — who not solely knocked Karim out but additionally received out over different icons like Johan Cruyff and Michel Platini. The one who ultimately overtook R9 was one other French legend: Zinedine Zidane.
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2025 Ballon d’Or nominees introduced: Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo OUT, Ousmane Dembele, Lamine Yamal, Kylian Mbappe IN – Full checklist
Dembele chooses between Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo
With Zinedine Zidane chosen, Dembele neared the top of the sport. After the French legend, solely two Ballon d’Or winners remained: Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi. First, CR7 edged out Zidane — a call that noticed Ousmane hesitate briefly.
Then got here the ultimate query: “Cristiano Ronaldo or Lionel Messi?” However right here, in contrast to earlier decisions, Dembele didn’t hesitate. With full certainty, he gave his reply: “Messi.” The selection is smart, contemplating the shared historical past between Leo and Ousmane, who have been teammates at Barcelona from 2017 to 2021.
Furthermore, Dembele has made his admiration for Messi clear each time he’s had the possibility. “I grew up watching FC Barcelona, so naturally, Leo Messi is the best for me. He’s a participant who evokes me — he’s distinctive! I’m very joyful and proud to have performed with him,” Dembele mentioned just lately. After going through him once more within the 2025 FIFA Membership World Cup with PSG towards Inter Miami, he known as him “the best of all time.”
Who’s the participant with essentially the most Ballon d’Or wins in historical past?
It’s no coincidence that the ultimate two names within the Ballon d’Or’s social media problem have been Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi. They’re the 2 gamers with essentially the most Ballon d’Or wins in historical past: Leo leads with eight, whereas CR7 trails with 5.
Different gamers to have received the Ballon d’Or greater than as soon as embody Michel Platini (3), Johan Cruyff (3), Marco van Basten (3), Franz Beckenbauer (2), Ronaldo Nazario (2), Alfredo Di Stefano (2), Kevin Keegan (2), and Karl-Heinz Rummenigge (2).
Not one of the 30 finalists for the 2025 version has received the Ballon d’Or earlier than, so whoever is chosen is not going to be a part of the checklist of multiple-time winners — at the least not but. Among the many favorites, Ousmane Dembele has an edge because of Paris Saint-Germain’s collective success, notably their UEFA Champions League title. Nevertheless, Barcelona’s Lamine Yamal can be being talked about as a possible winner.
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Who ought to win the Ballon d’Or 2025?
