PSG’s Luis Campos Advocates for Ousmane Dembélé’s Ballon d’Or Candidacy
The sporting director of Paris Saint-Germain, Luis Campos, has voiced his strong belief that Ousmane Dembélé is a deserving candidate for the prestigious Ballon d’Or, set to be awarded on September 22 in Paris. Dembélé, along with Barcelona’s promising young talent Lamine Yamal, is viewed as a frontrunner for this coveted honor.
Dembélé’s Impact on PSG’s Historic Season
At 28 years old, Dembélé played a pivotal role in PSG’s historic achievement last season, contributing to their remarkable treble, which included victories in Ligue 1, the Coupe de France, and the Champions League. Campos expressed his unwavering confidence in Dembélé’s candidacy, stating,
“If he were named Leo Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo, there would be no question about it.”
He criticized the voting process, suggesting that if Dembélé does not receive the award, it reflects the incompetence of the voters, highlighting that Dembélé’s impressive statistics and accolades from the last season should speak for themselves.
Emerging Talent: Lamine Yamal
Beyond Dembélé, Lamine Yamal’s breakout performances for both Barcelona and the Spanish national team have also garnered attention, with many considering him a worthy candidate as well. Yamal, who just celebrated his 18th birthday in July, contributed to Barcelona’s domestic treble and played a significant role in Spain’s journey to the UEFA Nations League finals.
Campos’ Clarification on Performance Criteria
Campos was quick to clarify his stance, emphasizing that his argument is based solely on last season’s performances rather than future potential. He asserted,
“In terms of last season, Dembélé was the standout player in all competitions, ahead of others like Achraf Hakimi and Vitinha, who also had stellar seasons. However, in the Champions League and Ligue 1, Dembélé was the finest player.”
Dembélé’s Impressive Statistics
Throughout the season, Dembélé tallied an impressive total of 35 goals and delivered 16 assists. His exceptional contributions earned him titles as both the best player in Ligue 1 and the Champions League. As a World Cup winner in 2018, Dembélé stands among nine PSG players nominated for this year’s Ballon d’Or. Campos expressed pride in the nominations of other PSG players, including Bradley Barcola and Willian Pacho, reinforcing the team’s strong standing in the awards circuit.
