Names like Mohamed Salah, Ousmane Dembele, and Raphinha are all in the mix, but Yamal’s name keeps coming up and for good reason. He finished the season with 18 goals and 21 assists in 55 appearances, which is impressive enough.
But what really stands out is when and where he delivered. He scored in all three El Clasico matches against Real Madrid and found the net against heavyweights like Atletico Madrid and Inter Milan, the latter coming in the Champions League semi-final.
Sure, only nine of those goals came in La Liga, and yes, there are more prolific scorers in the conversation. But remember, he’s just 17. What Yamal’s doing at this age is bending the rules of what we thought possible. He’s not just putting up numbers; he’s showing maturity, intelligence, and technical brilliance way beyond his years.
Still, for all of Yamal’s magic, he’s up against some serious competition. Take Ousmane Dembele. A couple of years ago, it looked like his star might be fading. Fast forward to this season and he’s reborn under Luis Enrique at PSG.
Moved into a central role, Dembele exploded, scoring 21 times in Ligue 1 and racking up 33 goals in all competitions.
But it wasn’t just about the numbers. Dembele turned up when it mattered most. In PSG’s triumphant Champions League run, he scored against some of the toughest sides out there, Liverpool, Aston Villa, Arsenal, and Inter Milan, tallying eight goals and six assists in the tournament alone.
If history tells us anything, it’s that Champions League success often swings Ballon d’Or votes, and that might just tip the scale in Dembele’s favor.
Then there’s Raphinha, who despite sharing the pitch with Yamal, arguably had an even bigger season at Barcelona. The Brazilian was electric in the final third, with a staggering 34 goals and 22 assists across 57 matches.
His Champions League numbers were jaw-dropping with 13 goals and eight assists. That’s 21 goal involvements in the tournament, which ties the single-season record shared with Cristiano Ronaldo and beats anything even Messi ever managed in Europe.
And let’s not forget Mo Salah. The Egyptian winger quietly had one of his best seasons yet, scoring 34 goals and notching 23 assists in just 52 games. He led the Premier League in both goals with 29 and assists with 18, helping Liverpool lift the league title almost single-handedly.
Unlike his rivals, Salah didn’t have a stacked forward line supporting him. No Lewandowski or Raphinha-type figures by his side. That kind of solo brilliance counts for something.
So, who wins it?
It’s a tight race, no doubt. Yamal has the talent and the wow factor. Raphinha shattered records. Salah carried his team to a title. But Dembele has the stats, the silverware, and the spotlight of a Champions League crown. If history is any guide, that might be enough to see him edge out the rest.Still, whether it’s Yamal’s youth-fueled rise, Raphinha’s dominance in Europe, Salah’s all-round brilliance, or Dembele’s comeback season, whoever takes home the Ballon d’Or will have more than earned it.
