Champions League performance strengthens Ballon d’Or hopes

On Tuesday evening, during the Champions League round of 16 second leg against Liverpool, the Frenchman **scored his 29th goal across all competitions** in just 36 matches. This impressive strike rate not only places him among Europe’s most prolific players but also positions him as a serious contender for the **2025 Ballon d’Or.**

A recent poll by the sports daily, L’Équipe, revealed that **40.9% of respondents see Dembélé as the top favorite** for the prestigious award, ahead of competitors like Raphinha, Lamine Yamal, and even Kylian Mbappé.

dembele shines a top contender for the 2025 ballon dor.jpg

However, to truly secure the top honor, Paris Saint-Germain will need to progress deep into the competition, potentially even clinching the title in May.

Next challenge: Aston Villa in the quarterfinals

**Paris Saint-Germain and Ousmane Dembélé made headlines** by eliminating the strong contenders, Liverpool, from the Champions League. Their European journey continues with a quarterfinal matchup against Aston Villa, vying for a spot in the tournament’s semifinals.

The clash against Aston Villa is **an achievable challenge for PSG,** provided they maintain their high level of play. Dembélé, who was pivotal against Liverpool by scoring early and converting his penalty in the shootout, will be under the spotlight once again in this two-leg fixture. The first leg is set for April 5 at the Parc des Princes.