Ballon d’Or 2025: Jules Koundé changes mind, picks between Dembele, Yamal to win award

France and Barcelona defender, Jules Kounde, has changed his mind on who should win the 2025 Ballon d’Or between Lamine Yamal and Ousmane Dembele.

Kounde is a team-mate to Yamal and Dembele, both at Barcelona and France, respectively.

Recall that Kounde had recently tipped Yamal over Dembele to win the Ballon d’Or.

Ballon d’Or 2025: French defender, Kounde snubs Mbappe, Dembele, picks favourite

Both Yamal and Dembele are the leading candidates for the top individual prize this year.

Speaking at a press conference ahead of a return to international duty with the national team of France, Kounde said (via GOAL): “I have already answered, I will do it again.

“Both [Yamal and Dembele] deserve it [Ballon d’Or]. They had an extraordinary season, with trophies to boot.

“Being teammates with both, it’s difficult. I’m not the one voting, and there are arguments for both.

“I’m very happy to be with Lamine, to see how he is carrying us. Ousmane has reached a kind of fullness, he is playing his best football, with the statistics. May the best man win.”

Ballon d’Or 2025: Jules Koundé changes mind, picks between Dembele, Yamal to win award