By Bayo Olupohunda,Elijah Odetokun

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The 2025 France Football Ballon d’Or award ceremony is a week away from being held at Theatre du ChâteletParis Saint-Germain star Ousmane Dembele and Barcelona youngster Lamine Yamal remain favourites.PSG sporting director Luis Campos has made a strong case for Dembele to win ahead of the teenagerCHECK OUT: Don’t let unemployment hold you back. Start your digital marketing journey today.Paris Saint-Germain’s sporting director has made a strong case for forward Ousmane Dembele to be crowned the Ballon d’Or winner ahead of Lamine Yamal.Dembele and Yamal are the frontrunners to win the coveted individual award after remarkable individual seasons for their respective clubs.Ousmane Dembele and Luis Campos after PSG won the 2025 UEFA Champions League. Photo by Michael Regan.Source: Getty ImagesThe Frenchman was a key player in PSG’s treble-winning season, including their first-ever UEFA Champions League, while Yamal helped Barcelona win the domestic treble.According to beIN Sport, the voting for the award has closed, and the event will be held at Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris on September 22, 2025.Read also”It’s a disgrace”: Onana holds back Super Eagles star raging at referee after controversial VAR decisionPAY ATTENTION: Follow us on Instagram – get the most important news directly in your favourite app!PSG sporting director backs Dembele for Ballon d’OrThere have been rumours and speculation about who has been voted the winner of the award, and a week before the award, PSG’s director made a strong case for Dembele.Paris Saint-Germain had nine players nominated for that award, including goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma, who left the club to join Manchester City.Luis Campos believes that France international forward Ousmane Dembele is the deserved winner of that award over Barcelona’s Lamine Yamal.“Ousmane Dembélé scored 35 goals and provided 16 assists. He was voted best player in the Champions League, best player in his league. He finished as the top scorer in his league.,” he told RMC Sports.“He won everything. If his name is Leo Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo, there would be no debate.“If he doesn’t win the Ballon d’Or, it’s because the people who voted don’t have the skills to vote for the Ballon d’Or. Because the stats he has and everything he’s won are very strong.”Read alsoPep Guardiola names 2 standout players after Man City’s dominant win vs Man UnitedCampos believes those pushing Yamal for the Ballon d’Or are looking at his potential and age, but for the year under review, Dembele is the outright best.Lamine Yamal in action for Barcelona against Rayo Vallecano. Photo by Alvaro Medranda/Quality Sport Images.Source: Getty Images“In my opinion, the one who clearly deserves the Ballon d’Or is Ousmane Dembélé. For me, there’s no discussion. I’m talking about the past season, not a projection on Lamine Yamal in the coming years,” he continued.“In this season, the player with the best stats and the most prominent in all competitions is Ousmane Dembélé… the truth is that the best player in the Champions League and Ligue 1 is Ousmane Dembélé. The Ballon d’Or should be him.”Both players are currently injured but are expected to be in Paris next week for the award ceremony to crown the best footballer in the past year.Why Dembele could lose to YamalLegit.ng previously reported that a PSG legend explained why Dembele could lose the Ballon d’Or to Yamal despite being the overwhelming favourite.Read alsoAtalanta drop Ademola Lookman from Champions League squad to face PSGPedro Miguel Pauleta believes that having nine strong candidates nominated for the award could create a division in voting and give Yamal the advantage.Don’t miss out! Join Legit.ng’s Sports News channel on WhatsApp now! Source: Legit.ng