Dembele and Yamal Renew FIFA Rivalry

Ousmane Dembele and Lamine Yamal will have another cut-throat battle as both of the star players are nominated in The Best FIFA Football Awards 2025, becoming part of one of the most captivating modern football rivalries.

This announcement comes after they had a dramatic Ballon d’Or duel last year where Dembele was very close to winning the golden trophy thanks to his heroic Ballon d’Or duel against Barcelona prodigy. Months on, the French winger is again in line to win another big individual award.

Dembele is the head of a powerful Paris Saint-Germain group in the men shortlist, with the additions of teammates Vitinha, Achraf Hakimi, and Nuno Mendes. The 28-year-old has excelled in the company of coach Luis Enrique to become one of the most consistent players in Europe this season.

At the young age of 18, Yamal remains the brightest young player in Barcelona and he comes with a lot of pressure and expectation. His father contributed emotionally to the fact that they were digging their own graves by his post-Ballon d’Or hot remarks–and he called it the largest moral harm ever inflicted on a human being.

Other stars of nursing in the FIFA list include Premier League players Mohamed Salah and Cole Palmer, England captain Harry Kane and PSG’s Kylian Mbappe.

In the managerial group, the nominations are led by the coach of the Champions League-winning club, Luis Enrique; Liverpool coach Arne Slot; Mikel Arteta of Arsenal; and Barcelona coach Hansi Flick.

On the female part, Ballon d’Or winner Aitana Bonmati is the highlight of an all-star team that features Arsenal, Chelsea and Barcelona stars. Lucy Bronze, Alessia Russo and Lauren James of England also squeeze in, and Mariona Caldentey of Arsenal wants to redeem herself having become a runner-up at the Ballon d’Or.

Sarina Wiegman of England is also in the list of the favourites of the Best Women Coach, with Arsenal of Renee Slegers and Chelsea of Sonia Bompastor. The winners will be known later on this year, which will prepare another Dembele-Yamal battle in the most glamorous market of world football.