Category: HesGoal News

Dembele Wins Ballon d’ Or Award

PARIS: Ousmane Dembele made history when he was crowned the Ballon d’Or winner, beating out Barcelona star Lamine Yamal after a brilliant season that ended with Champions League success.

The 28-year-old Paris Saint Germain (PSG) striker scored 35 goals in 53 appearances in all competitions last season, helping the French club win the treble of Ligue 1, the French Cup and their inaugural Champions League title.

PSG also reached the Club World Cup final in the United States, but had to accept defeat to Chelsea.

Dembele, who is currently still struggling with injury and was not fielded against Marseille earlier this week, received the prestigious trophy at a glittering ceremony at the Theatre du Chatelet, Paris, early this morning.

The Ballon d’Or, run by France Football magazine, is awarded to the world’s best player based on individual performance, team achievements and sportsmanship, as voted on by international journalists.

“Thank you all. What happened is truly incredible.

“I’m lost for words. My season with PSG has been amazing.

“More special, receiving this award from Ronaldinho is something unforgettable,” Dembele said in a tearful tone.

He also expressed his gratitude to PSG who signed him in 2023, including the club’s President, coaching staff and teammates.

“Luis Enrique is like a father to me. This success belongs to all of us because every trophy won is the result of teamwork,” he said.

Previously, Barcelona spent more than 100 million euros to get him in 2017, but Dembele failed to shine throughout his six seasons at the Nou Camp.

His move to PSG for 50 million euros proved to be a turning point as he emerged as the team’s mainstay after Kylian Mbappe’s departure to Real Madrid.

Last season, in addition to 35 goals, Dembele also recorded 16 assists for PSG, which created treble history.

His closest competition, Yamal, also shone with Barcelona when he won La Liga, Copa del Rey and the Spanish Super Cup, in addition to winning the Kopa Trophy as the world’s best under-21 player.

In other categories, Barcelona and Spain star Aitana Bonmatí won the Ballon d’Or Feminin for the third consecutive year, while Viktor Gyokeres and Ewa Pajor won the Gerd Muller Trophy.

PSG and Italy goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma and Chelsea’s Hannah Hampton were named the world’s best goalkeepers.

Meanwhile, PSG coach Luis Enrique and England women’s team manager Sarina Wiegman were named the winners of the Johan Cruyff Trophy as the best coaches.

Rangers

Haaland Never Lets Us Down – Guardiola

MANCHESTER, England: Pep Guardiola praised Manchester City’s excellent performance in defeating Manchester United, describing sensational striker Erling Haaland as a special player after scoring two goals.

Haaland, who has now scored six and seven goals in a remarkable week for club and country, was the star of City’s 3-0 win over their neighbours in their 197th game.

His two goals in the second half ensured that the match seemed to be over after the 68th minute.

“Erling has never disappointed since he arrived,” said Guardiola.

“Erling’s commitment is high, which is why he signed a long-term contract. He’s a special player.”

Guardiola also praised the actions of right-back Abdukodir Khusanov, who appeared calm when absorbing United’s attacks.

“We have a tight schedule of playing every three days for the next 11 months. No human being can do it easily.

“I know he’s incredibly physical, fast and covers space well in that area. He doesn’t lose the ball much although sometimes his energy makes him miscalculate.

“(Patrick) Dorgu is fast, but today (Khusanov) was really good,” said Guardiola.

The Catalan manager was also thrilled with the energetic performance of Phil Foden, who returned to his best form in the 2023-24 season with stylish runs in midfield and opened the scoring with a beautiful header.

Yamal Almost Join Bayern Munich

BARCELONA: Barcelona star Lamine Yamal was reportedly almost snapped up by another European football giant when he was 14 years old, but famous agent Jorge Mendes blocked the move.

Despite only turning 18 last summer, Yamal has already made over 100 appearances for Barcelona’s first team and scored 27 goals.

Yamal has won two LaLiga titles with the Catalan club and was a key player in the Spanish squad that won the 2024 European Championship.

Among the individual awards he won were the ‘Golden Boy’ and the ‘Kopa Trophy’ which recognises the best young talent in world football.

According to German newspaper Bild, Bayern Munich once tried to sign the winger after their scouts presented footage of Yamal in action to the club’s management.

At that time, Bayern’s sporting director, Hasan Salihamidzic, and technical director, Marco Neppe, reportedly expressed their interest to Yamal’s agent, Ivan de la Pena.

De la Pena reportedly told Bayern officials that he would inform Yamal’s family of the interest and his willingness to discuss a transfer that could only happen when Yamal turns 16 in July 2023.

However, the deal fell through when Yamal changed his agent to Jorge Mendes, Cristiano Ronaldo’s agent, who signed him as a client.

However, Bayern management is reportedly delaying the decision to pay a large transfer fee for the 14-year-old.

Yamal finally made his debut with the Barcelona senior squad at the age of 15 years, 9 months and 16 days when he came on as a substitute for Gavi at the end of a LaLiga match in April 2023.

Barcelona then extended Yamal’s contract until 2026 when the winger became a regular in the first squad.

De Bruyne Admits It’s Strange Returning To Man City

BRUSSELS: Belgium midfielder Kevin De Bruyne said yesterday returning to Manchester City this month with his new club Napoli would be an awkward experience.

De Bruyne, 34, left City at the end of last season after his contract was not renewed and joined Napoli, who will travel to the Etihad Stadium for their Champions League group opener on September 18.

“I’ve only played two Serie A games so far. It’s different under coach (Antonio) Conte compared to the years with Pep Guardiola,” De Bruyne told reporters ahead of the World Cup Group J qualifier against Kazakhstan in Brussels.

“My first impression was that football in Italy is more tactical and the game moves a little slower. But it’s still football.

“I played in a different system at Manchester City,” he said, answering more questions about his club career than World Cup matches.

“We’re playing City in Manchester with Napoli soon. It’s going to be awkward. City is my club and that’s not going to change,” De Bruyne said.