Ousmane Dembele has been crowned the winner of the 2025 Ballon d’Or, making him the sixth French player in history to receive football’s most prestigious individual award. The PSG forward’s victory came after a spectacular season where he led his team to a historic quadruple, including the long-awaited UEFA Champions League title. One of the voters, Ghanaian sports journalist Michael Oti Adjei, perfectly predicted the outcome by placing Dembele at the top of his list. Let’s take a closer look at his reasons and the other players he recognized.
🤔 Why Dembele Was the Top Choice
Michael Oti Adjei explained that he chose Ousmane Dembele because he was the best player on the best team during the season. He pointed to Dembele’s incredible transformation from an inconsistent player to a reliable star who delivered goals and assists when it mattered most. “I thought that his goals, his assists, his evolution as a player… popping up everywhere, finding form in the most important stages to rescue PSG this season,” Oti Adjei shared. This was especially true during PSG’s successful Champions League and domestic cup campaigns.
🏆 A Season to Remember for PSG
The 28-year-old winger was central to PSG’s dominance throughout the 2024/25 season. He was a key performer in Ligue 1 and played a vital role in securing domestic cup titles. Most importantly, he inspired PSG to finally win the UEFA Champions League. Dembele’s mix of goal-scoring, creativity, and consistent play showed his growth into one of Europe’s most complete and effective forwards, making him a deserving Ballon d’Or winner.
🌟 Recognizing Other Top Talents
While Dembele was his number one pick, Oti Adjei’s ballot also highlighted other outstanding players. He placed Barcelona’s teenage star Lamine Yamal in second, recognizing his amazing performances in La Liga and Europe. PSG’s versatile defender Achraf Hakimi was third for his strong defensive and attacking contributions. The list also included Liverpool’s star forward Mohamed Salah in fourth, followed by Raphinha of Barcelona and PSG’s hard-working midfielder Vitinha.
🗳️ A Veteran Voter’s Perspective
Michael Oti Adjei has been representing Ghana in the Ballon d’Or voting process for nearly two decades, having started in 2007. His long experience gives him a unique perspective on world football. His 2025 vote stands out as particularly accurate, as his top choice, Dembele, went on to win the award, celebrating a remarkable career turnaround with the ultimate individual prize.
