Paris (EFE).- Ousmane Dembélé or Lamine Yamal, an enigma that has been fueling debates about the identity of the next Ballon d’Or, an enigma that will end this Monday at the end of a gala that will award eleven prizes that make Paris the media focus of football.
The cream of the crop of that sport will gather at the Chatelet theater to also choose the best player of the past season, the best young players, goalkeepers, coaches and clubs, in addition to the Socrates trophy, which highlights social work.
The world of football, divided
The men’s Ballon d’Or, the original award of the entire range, focuses this year on special attention, with the football universe divided between the French attacker from PSG or the Spaniard from Barcelona.
The first has all the momentum given to it by the four titles won by his team, especially the Champions League, the first in its history, with its 35 goals and 16 assists that made him the team’s spearhead that marked the last campaign.
Their main enemy may be the scattering of votes with their teammates, since PSG placed nine footballers among the 30 candidates.
Furthermore, Dembélé is perceived at 28 years old as a great player, but for many without the stature of a Ballon d’Or, especially due to the inconsistency of his career.
Ousmane Dembele. EFE/EPA/Justin Lane
Barça has fewer players among those vying for the award, four, so all eyes are on Lamine Yamal, with worse numbers than Dembélé, 21 goals and 22 assists, and fewer titles, because the Champions League slipped away in an unfortunate semi-final against Inter, but whose projection at 18 years old points to a historical figure.
Thus, the world of football is divided between those who support rewarding the good campaign of the Frenchman against the promises of the Spaniard and those who believe that Lamine Yamal should be placed on the path of the greatest.
Best Young Player
If he doesn’t get the main award, the young Barcelona star can settle for his second consecutive Kopa award, which rewards the best young player, for which PSG’s French player Desiré Doué is also in the running, as well as his teammate Pau Cubarsí.
Female Section
In the women’s category, there are more doubts, with six Spaniards among the candidates, including Aitana Bonmati and Alexia Putellas, winners of the last four editions, who arrive somewhat diminished for not having conquered the European title either with Barça or with the national team.
If titles count, the award would go to Alessia Russo, Leah Williamson or Chloe Kelly, European champions with England and Champions League winners with Arsenal, although their Chelsea compatriots, Lucy Bronze and Hannah Hampton, can boast of being English league and cup champions.
El delantero del FC Barcelona Lamine Yamal. EFE/Fernando Villar
Among the candidates for the women’s Kopa, which is awarded for the first time, are Colombian player Linda Caicedo from Madrid, Paraguayan player Claudia Martínez Ovando from Club Olimpia, and Spanish player Vicki López from Barcelona.
The best goalkeeper
The best goalkeeper will also be distinguished for the first time, the Yashin award, for which the Spanish player from Barça Cata Coll is in the running, while in the men’s section the Argentinian Emiliano ‘Dibu’ Martínez is aiming for a third consecutive success, against candidates such as the Brazilian from Liverpool Alisson Becker, the Belgian from Madrid Thibaut Courtois, the Slovenian from Atlético de Madrid Jan Oblak or the Spanish player from Arsenal David Raya.
Best Coach
For the best coach category, the name of Luis Enrique emerges strongly thanks to his four titles won with PSG, as does the England coach, the Dutchwoman Sarina Wiegman, in the women’s category.
PSG is also the top favorite for the club of the year in the men’s category, while the women’s category is more uncertain, with Arsenal, Chelsea or Barcelona among the candidates.
