Marquinhos Believes Nine PSG Players Deserve Ballon d’Or

In a bold statement that has injected a new layer of debate into the race for football’s most prestigious individual award, Paris Saint-Germain captain Marquinhos has insisted that nine of his teammates deserved to win the 2025 Ballon d’Or. The Brazilian international, speaking to French publication Le Parisien, acknowledged the complexity of the choice but made a powerful case for the collective brilliance of his squad, even singling out one player for special praise. His comments come just days before the winner of this year’s Ballon d’Or is set to be announced in Paris, France, where the football world will gather to honor the best player of the 2024-2025 season.

The Ballon d’Or, as Dependable NG confirms, is awarded based on a player’s performance over a season, taking into account individual brilliance, team success, and overall impact. It is within this context that Marquinhos’s statement holds significant weight. PSG had a dominant 2024-2025 season, securing the Ligue 1 title and the Coupe de France, and performing strongly on the continental stage. This collective triumph is central to Marquinhos’s argument that multiple players from his team are worthy contenders. “I have nine PSG players named, which makes the choice very complicated,” he told the newspaper, reflecting on the sheer talent depth within the Parisian club.

While the captain highlighted the strength of the entire squad, he had a special word for Ousmane Dembele, stating that if he were to win the Ballon d’Or, it would be “widely deserved.” Dembele, a key figure in PSG’s attack, had a standout season, contributing a consistent stream of goals and assists that proved decisive in key matches. His blistering pace, dribbling ability, and creativity have made him a nightmare for defenders across Europe, making him a legitimate contender. The Ballon d’Or nominee list is packed with other top talents from across the globe, including Lamine Yamal, the young Barcelona prodigy whose electrifying performances have defied his age; Raphinha, another Barcelona winger known for his creativity and goal-scoring; and Liverpool’s talisman, Mohamed Salah, who maintained his prolific form. Another name on the list is PSG’s own Vitinha, who had a phenomenal season in the midfield, controlling the tempo of games and providing crucial support to both the defense and the attack.

The conversation around the 2025 Ballon d’Or cannot be had without mentioning Kylian Mbappe, whose move to Real Madrid in the summer was one of the biggest stories in football history. Despite his departure, his contributions to PSG in the first half of the season were monumental and will likely place him high on the final list. The list of contenders, however, is not limited to those mentioned by Marquinhos. Dependable NG confirms that other players, such as Real Madrid’s Vinicius Junior, who had a strong season helping his team win the UEFA Champions League, are also expected to be in the running. The focus on individual brilliance often overshadows the collective effort, but Marquinhos’s comments serve as a timely reminder that behind every winning team is a group of players who all contribute to the final success. The public will now have to wait for the official announcement to see whether the collective excellence of PSG will translate into an individual award, or if the prize will go to another deserving star who shone brightest on the global stage. The debate, however, has been officially ignited.