Despite the widespread belief that Ousmane Dembele and Lamine Yamal are clear Ballon d’Or frontrunners, Jose Mourinho disagrees entirely.
The PSG and Barcelona stars dazzled last season, placing first and second in GiveMeSport’s 2025 Ballon d’Or rankings with standout performances.
Dembele remains the bookies’ favorite after leading Paris Saint-Germain to their historic first UEFA Champions League triumph this past season.
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Yamal, only 18, netted 18 goals and provided 25 assists across 55 games, drawing comparisons to a young Lionel Messi.
Still, Mourinho argues that the honor should go to either of two Portuguese stars—both pivotal in club and country successes.
One is Vitinha, now ranked third in the Ballon d’Or race, after lifting both the Champions League and UEFA Nations League.
Once loaned to Wolves, the 25-year-old played 59 games for PSG, registering 8 goals and 5 assists from midfield, reports GIVE ME SPORT
Then there’s Nuno Mendes, a lightning-quick left-back who also won the same two trophies, notching 6 goals and 6 assists in 53 games.
Mourinho insists individual awards must reflect team achievements and refused to pick between the duo—whom he admires equally.
He cheekily added that agent Jorge Mendes may disagree, as Yamal is his client.
