Lucas Hernandez, 29-year-old defender for Paris Saint-Germain and the French national team, spoke at length to L’Equipe. In addition to the Champions League victory, he was asked to discuss the possible Ballon d’Or 2025 for Ousmane Dembélé (28-year-old striker).
Hernandez “He scored a lot of goals, he made differences, but that’s not what we should remember about his year.”
“Should Dembélé win the Ballon d’Or?
Of course he should! He’s been outstanding for us this season. He scored a lot of goals, he made a lot of differences, but that’s not what we should remember about his year. You have to look at the way he always helped the team, how he defended in the opponents’ sixteen-yard box, how he pressed high up the pitch to take everyone with him. That’s why he deserves to win the trophy.”
The answer is clear and rather interesting. Of course, goals and assists are important. Firstly, in a match and then in the balance sheet for a season. And therefore for choices in an individual trophy. But Hernandez rightly points out that there’s more to soccer than that. Even for a striker.
Dembélé has done much more than make “decisive” gestures this season with PSG. There were also the chances he created, the space created by his calls and runs with the ball, and his invaluable defensive efforts. His intense pressing was an impressive highlight. Fully in line with the collective idea of soccer. Perhaps that’s why Dembélé would make a fine winner of the Ballon d’Or. Even if it’s far less important than the Champions League.
