(Photo by Franck FIFE / AFP) (Photo by FRANCK FIFE/AFP via Getty Images)

Lamine Yamal Robbed? Messi Speaks Out on Ousmane Dembele's Ballon d'Or Win

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Emmanuel Mendez | Last updated Sep 23, 2025 9:08 AM ET

The 2025 Ballon d'Or ceremony saw Ousmane Dembele as the winner this year, ahead of other players like Lamine Yamal, Vitinha, Mohamed Salah, and Raphinha.

It was Dembele's first Ballon d'Or award, and many football fans agreed it was the right decision. Other fans believe that Lamine Yamal was robbed of winning the Ballon d'Or award last night after his impressive season with FC Barcelona.

One person who disagrees with fans who believe Yamal was robbed was Lionel Messi, who was very happy to see his former teammate win the Ballon d'Or award.

Ousmane Dembele posted the image of him holding the Ballon d'Or for the first time, and Messi was one of the football players who congratulated him. The Inter Miami star went further to tell Dembele that he deserved the award over anyone.

: Leo Messi congratulating Dembele:

"Grande Ous. Congratulations, I am so happy for you. You deserve it." pic.twitter.com/Yjk97caTt7
— The Touchline | (@TouchlineX) September 23, 2025

Lionel Messi: "Great Ous !!! Congratulations, I'm so happy for you. You deserve it."

Ousmane Dembele mentions Messi during his victory speech

Along with Messi congratulating Dembele, the new Ballon d'Or winner mentioned Messi during his speech when he thanked players who helped throughout his career.

Dembele was thankful for FC Barcelona as well, and referred to them as the club of his dreams, which is something he said in the past. His message for Messi was seen as wholesome, as the two players shared the pitch for a couple of years.

Ousmane Dembele: "Thanks to all the clubs I’ve played for. I achieved my dream of playing for Barcelona, I played alongside legends like Lionel Messi and Andrés Iniesta, and I learned so much from them."

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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