Summary of "Why the 2025 Ballon d'Or Will Be the Most Controversial in Football History"

The video analyzes why the 2025 Ballon d'Or is set to be the most controversial award decision in football history, focusing on five distinct contenders: Mohamed Salah, Vitinha, Raphinha, Lamine Yamal, and Ousmane Dembélé. Each player presents a unique case for winning, making direct comparisons difficult and fueling heated debates about the award’s criteria.

Mohamed Salah had a historic season, winning the Premier League Golden Boot, Playmaker Award, and Player of the Season with 34 goals and 23 assists in 52 games. However, Liverpool’s early Champions League exit to PSG severely hurt his chances due to the award’s strong European bias.
Vitinha won multiple trophies with PSG, including the Champions League and domestic titles, and was crucial to the team’s tactical success. Despite modest individual stats (8 goals, 5 assists in 59 games), his influence as a midfield conductor raises questions about whether team success or individual brilliance matters more.
Raphinha exceeded expectations with 38 goals and 25 assists, leading Barcelona to a domestic treble. His clutch performances in key moments were notable, but Barcelona’s Champions League semi-final loss to Inter Milan diminished his Ballon d’Or credibility.
Lamine Yamal, an 18-year-old Barcelona winger, matched superstar productivity with 21 goals and 26 assists, showing maturity beyond his years. His historic potential to become the youngest winner ever has sparked intense debate about whether a teenager should claim football’s highest honor, challenging traditional views of the award as a career pinnacle.
Ousmane Dembélé delivered a redemption story, scoring 37 goals and providing 16 assists for PSG, excelling in crucial matches including the Champions League final with two assists. His ability to perform under pressure and newfound durability after injury struggles make a compelling case.

The video highlights the core conflict: should the Ballon d’Or reward individual statistics, team trophies, or clutch performances on the biggest stages? Cristiano Ronaldo’s public stance that only Champions League winners deserve the award intensified the debate, alienating supporters of players like Salah and Yamal.

Statistical analyses reveal that many numbers can be interpreted to support different arguments, with quality of opposition and context being critical factors. For example, Salah’s goals included many against weaker teams, while Dembélé’s came mostly against top-level opponents. Vitinha’s advanced metrics show his creative influence despite modest goal contributions.

Durability and availability also play a role: Vitinha played 59 games, Salah 52, Yamal 47 (with managed minutes), and Dembélé overcame previous injury issues to miss just three games.

The video concludes that after cutting through biases and politics, Ousmane Dembélé emerges as the most deserving winner due to his decisive impact in the biggest matches and consistent excellence against elite competition. This choice will likely provoke strong reactions from fans of the other candidates but is argued as the most justified based on the season’s evidence.

Presenters/Sources

The video does not explicitly name presenters but references voices such as Cristiano Ronaldo and former Premier League stars, pundits, journalists, and football insiders involved in the Ballon d’Or debate.