Football Daily Euro Leagues: Dembele wins the Ballon d'Or & The Special One returns!
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Sep 25, 2025 Guillem Balague, a renowned football journalist, Julien Laurens, a tactical analyst, and Rafa Honigstein, a German football specialist, discuss Ousmane Dembele's stunning Ballon d'Or win amid a competitive field. They delve into Aitana Bonmati's controversial women's award and explore the implications for players like Lamine Yamal. The trio reflects on Diego Simeone's precarious position at Atletico Madrid and welcomes Jose Mourinho back to Benfica. Expect insights on player emotions, tactical shifts, and the evolving football landscape.
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Ballon d'Or Still Matters
- The Ballon d'Or remains a major event combining on-pitch performance with storytelling and prestige.
- Guillem Balague argues players and industry still treat it as central to football's modern narrative.
Award Drives Money And Varies By Market
- Rafa Honigstein notes the Ballon d'Or influences contracts and sponsorship money for players.
- He warns its cultural relevance varies by country and feels more online-driven than universally felt.
Dembele's Resilience And Roots
- Julien Laurens recounts Dembele's resilience and how Luis Enrique changed his role to unlock him.
- He describes Dembele inviting his old youth teammates to the Parc des Princes as a heartfelt gesture.
