Xavi Hernรกndez Declares Ousmane Dembรฉlรฉ’s Ballon d’Or “More Than Deserved”
Former FC Barcelona manager Xavi Hernรกndez has emphatically endorsed Ousmane Dembรฉlรฉ’s candidacy for the 2025 Ballon d’Or,citing the forward’s explosive form with Paris Saint-Germain and pivotal role in their Champions League triumph. The comments come as Dembรฉlรฉ enjoys a career-bestโ season, fueling โคspeculation he is a frontrunner for football’s most prestigious individual award.
Xavi, who coached Dembรฉlรฉ at Barcelonaโข between 2021 and 2023, highlighted the player’s growth and happiness โat PSG.”Ousmane is an extraordinaryโ player, we knew that from the moment he arrived at Barcelona.” Xavi told Foot Market. “We saw his full potential, we worked a lot to make him feel pleasant and happyโฆThen the offer of Paris โSaint-Germain arrivedโฆand there it entirely exploded.” He further stated, “He is happy there, he feels like the star of the team, of the project. And what’s more, they won the Champions League were he shone with many goalsโ and โคassists. He made the difference. he is an exceptional โplayer, and the ballonโค d’Or is more than deserved.“
The former Barรงa โขboss also drew parallels between his โขown tactical approach at barcelona and that of current PSG manager Luis Enrique.”It is quite similar. Both want to have the ball, both want to be protagonists.” โXavi explained, noting Enrique’s relentlessโฃ pressing style: “Luis โขEnriqueโฆis a coach who does not conceive of โwithdrawal. He wants to squeeze and squeeze โคfor 90 minutes.” He added that thereโข is โคa resemblance between theโข playing styles of Spain, Barcelona, and Paris Saint-Germain.
