Latest news with #OusmaneDembélé
Winnipeg Free Press
2 days ago
- Sport
- Winnipeg Free Press
McTominay will have to settle on ‘McFratm' title honours
Opinion There will be a first-time winner of the Ballon d'Or next month, and chances are it won't be Scott McTominay. In all fairness, he doesn't deserve to win world football's top individual prize. Paris-Saint German striker Ousmane Dembélé, to the predictable though justified delight of the France Football panel that determines the 30 finalists, is the obvious favourite, followed at some distance by club teammate Vitinha, Barcelona duo Raphinha and Lamine Yamal, and Liverpool's Mohamed Salah. And yet, given his heroics at Napoli last season, the 28-year-old warranted at least a mention in the discussion. On Thursday, when France Football revealed its ballot of nominees, he received it. Gregorio Borgia / THE ASSOCIATED PRESS FILES Napoli midfielder Scott McTominay (centre), though nominated for this year's Ballon d'Or, the favourite to win the award is Paris-Saint German striker Ousmane Dembélé. 'Scott McTominay has been nominated for the Ballon d'Or.' If it sounds funny to hear, nevermind awkward to say, it's likely because of a reputation that until last autumn had him typecast as an ordinary, workaday midfielder. You'd see his name on a teamsheet and almost gloss over it. He was diligent, if unremarkable; good enough, but nothing special. For the better part of five seasons, he was half of a bang-average midfield duo known comically as 'McFred.' He and his partner, inevitably Fred, now at Fenerbahce, played 126 matches together for Manchester United, where they managed to lose a Champions League quarterfinal, an FA Cup quarterfinal, a Carabao Cup semifinal and the finals of both the FA Cup and Europa League. 'McFred,' like the players who lent their names to it, was synonymous not only with on-field mediocrity, but also with United's overall decline. As it turned out, McTominay had only to leave the toxicity of Old Trafford to realize his untapped upside. It was less a reinvention than a discovery. The player who went from run-of-the-mill at United to superstar at Napoli — seemingly overnight — had always been there. When framed in that context, his ascendancy is as instructive as it is extraordinary. Until he joined the Partenopei last August for 30 million euros, McTominay had been associated with Manchester United — from the academy to the first team squad — since the age of five. In July of 2013, two months after United's most recent Premier League title and the retirement of legendary boss Sir Alex Ferguson, he signed his first professional contract. Not unlike Marcus Rashford, he became inseparable from the diving fortunes of a club accustomed to winning. He needed to get out. He also needed Antonio Conte. A three-time Scudetto winner while manager of Juventus, Conte, who has also won titles at Chelsea and Inter Milan, has a history of pin-pointing promise in players, and then coaxing it out. Ex-Bianconeri stalwart Claudio Marchisio became a top-level midfielder under his guidance, and he seems to have reused the template with McTominay. Barely half an hour into his Napoli debut, the Scotland international set up Kvicha Kvaratskhelia's goal against Monza. Four days later he found the back of the net against Como. He'd score 11 more before season's end, his last one a spectacular scissor-kick on the final day that sealed the Scudetto. Between the beginning of March and end of May, as his club went unbeaten and leapfrogged Inter into first place, he was arguably the best midfielder in Europe, scoring six goals and adding two assists in one of the greatest runs of matches in Napoli's history. The performance saw him named Serie A MVP, putting him in the company of Francesco Totti, Michel Platini, Cristiano Ronaldo and Diego Maradona. It also made him a Campanian icon — an accomplishment even rarer than a Ballon d'Or nomination. Few footballers can take to uniquely passionate Napoli, and fewer still can have the Neapolitans take to them. If they put in the work, often over a period of years, they might be cheered or even loved — already an exclusive group. A precious few — and you can count them on one hand — are worshipped as demigods. Wednesdays What's next in arts, life and pop culture. On San Nicola a Nilo in the city's centre, slightly above street level, is a former votive shrine now frescoed with McTominay's face. Near his forehead is an identifier: 'McFratm.' Playing on his surname and the local slang term for 'brother,' it basically translates as 'McBro.' The separation from 'McFred' couldn't be more stark. No, McTominay won't win the Ballon d'Or. But in lieu of the famous trophy, 'McFratm' will do just fine. jerradpeters@
New Indian Express
2 days ago
- Sport
- New Indian Express
Ousmane Dembélé and Chloe Kelly nominated for men's, women's Ballon d'Or awards
PARIS: Paris Saint-Germain forward Ousmane Dembélé and England forward Chloe Kelly are among the contenders to win the men's and women's Ballon d'Or award. The 30 men's and 30 women's nominees were revealed Thursday by France Football magazine, with the winners to be announced at a ceremony in Paris on Sept. 22. The 28-year-old Dembélé was inspirational in leading PSG to its first Champions League title after years of falling short and helped the French club complete a treble. He scored a career-high 35 goals overall for PSG last season. Teenage star Lamine Yamal, whose mesmerizing performances lit up the Champions League and helped Barcelona win the Spanish league title, is among the other men's nominees.
Time of India
3 days ago
- Sport
- Time of India
Ballon d'Or 2025: Full list of nominees, date, time, venue of award ceremony - All you need to know
The Ballon d'Or 2025 is set to be one of the most anticipated events in the football calendar, drawing the attention of fans, media, and players across the globe. Recognised as the highest individual honour in the sport, the Ballon d'Or celebrates the best male and female footballers based on their performances throughout the season. This year's Ballon d'Or 2025 promises intense competition, fresh talent, and unforgettable moments. If you're wondering about the list of nominees, the date, time, and other ceremony details, you're in the right place. When is the Ballon d'Or 2025? Date and Time of the Award Ceremony What's next? The 6️⃣9️⃣ ceremony of the Ballon d'Or📍Paris, Théâtre du Châtelet📅 September, 22nd 2025 The Ballon d'Or 2025 ceremony will take place on Monday, 22 September 2025, at the prestigious Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris, France. While the official time is yet to be confirmed, the event usually kicks off between 7 PM and 8 PM Central European Time (CET) — which translates to 10:30 PM to 11:30 PM IST for Indian viewers and 1 PM to 2 PM Eastern Time (ET) for audiences in the United States. What Makes Ballon d'Or 2025 Special? The 2025 Ballon d'Or includes 30-player shortlists for both men's and women's categories, spotlighting exceptional players from the 2024–25 season. Journalists from around the world will vote to decide who deserves the coveted Golden Ball. This year, several global tournaments like the UEFA Euro 2025 and various domestic league triumphs will play a big role in determining the favourites. Men's Ballon d'Or 2025: Top Contenders and Surprises The race for the men's Ballon d'Or 2025 is wide open with a thrilling lineup of stars. Paris Saint-Germain's treble-winning season, which included their first-ever Champions League victory, has made several PSG players standout contenders. Among the leading names: Ousmane Dembélé (PSG) is being heavily tipped following a stellar season. Lamine Yamal, Barcelona's teenage sensation, continues to wow the world. Mohamed Salah led Liverpool to a long-awaited Premier League title and remains a strong contender. Kylian Mbappé, despite a bumpy start, dazzled in his debut season at Real Madrid. Scott McTominay shocked many by guiding Napoli to the Serie A title. Last year's winner Rodri, misses out due to injury, opening the door for a new champion in 2025. Women's Ballon d'Or 2025: Aiming for History On the women's side, the Ballon d'Or 2025 continues to reflect the tremendous growth of women's football. Barcelona's Aitana Bonmatí, the 2023 and 2024 Ballon d'Or winner, is aiming for a historic third straight trophy. Despite Barcelona's loss to Arsenal in the Women's Champions League Final and Spain's Euro disappointment, her individual brilliance remains unmatched. Other notable contenders include: Mariona Caldentey, now at Arsenal, who leads the power rankings. Alexia Putellas, another Barcelona star with a history of winning. Chloe Kelly and Hannah Hampton of England, both strong favourites following England's European performances. Full List of Nominees for Ballon d'Or 2025 Men's Ballon d'Or 2025 Nominees Here's the complete list of nominees for the men's Ballon d'Or 2025: Ousmane Dembélé, Gianluigi Donnarumma, Jude Bellingham, Désiré Doué, Denzel Dumfries, Serhou Guirassy, Erling Haaland, Viktor Gyökeres, Achraf Hakimi, Harry Kane, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, Robert Lewandowski, Alexis Mac Allister, Lautaro Martinez, Scott McTominay, Kylian Mbappé, Nuno Mendes, João Neves, Pedri, Cole Palmer, Michael Olise, Raphinha, Declan Rice, Fabián Ruiz, Lamine Yamal, Florian Wirtz, Vitinha, Vinícius Júnior, Virgil van Dijk, Mohamed Salah Women's Ballon d'Or 2025 Nominees Here's the full list of nominees for the women's Ballon d'Or 2025: Lucy Bronze, Barbra Banda, Aitana Bonmatí, Sandy Baltimore, Mariona Caldentey, Klara Bühl, Sofia Cantore, Steph Catley, Melchie Daëlle Dumornay, Temwa Chawinga, Emily Fox, Cristiana Girelli, Esther González, Caroline Graham Hansen, Patri Guijarro, Amanda Gutierres, Hannah Hampton, Pernille Harder, Lindsey Heaps, Chloe Kelly, Marta, Frida Maanum, Ewa Pajor, Clara Mateo, Alessia Russo, Claudia Pina, Alexia Putellas, Johanna Rytting Kaneryd, Caroline Weir, Leah Williamson Other Major Nominations at Ballon d'Or 2025 Men's Club of the Year 2025 Nominees FC Barcelona Botafogo Chelsea Liverpool Paris Saint-Germain Women's Club of the Year 2025 Nominees Arsenal FC Barcelona Chelsea OL Lyon Orlando Pride Men's Team Coach of the Year Nominees Antonio Conte Luis Enrique Hansi Flick Enzo Maresca Arne Slot Women's Team Coach of the Year Nominees Sonia Bompastor Arthur Elias Justine Madugu Renée Slegers Sarina Wiegman Yachine Trophy 2025: Best Goalkeeper Nominees Men's Yachine Trophy Alisson Becker, Yassine Bounou, Lucas Chevalier, Thibaut Courtois, Gianluigi Donnarumma, Emiliano Martinez, Jan Oblak, David Raya, Matz Sels, Yann Sommer Women's Yachine Trophy Ann-Katrin Berger, Cata Coll, Hannah Hampton, Chiamaka Nnadozie, Daphne van Domselaar Kopa Trophy 2025: Best Young Player Nominees Men's Kopa Trophy Ayyoub Bouaddi, Pau Cubarsi, Désiré Doué, Estevao, Dean Huijsen, Myles Lewis-Skelly, Rodrigo Mora, Joao Neves, Lamine Yamal, Kenan Yildiz Women's Kopa Trophy Michelle Agyemang, Linda Caicedo, Wieke Kaptein, Vicky Lopez, Claudia Martinez Ovando What to Expect from Ballon d'Or 2025 The Ballon d'Or 2025 is shaping up to be an electrifying event packed with anticipation, honouring the world's most talented footballers. With a remarkable list of nominees and legendary clubs and coaches in the mix, this year's ceremony will reflect not only individual brilliance but the spirit of the beautiful game. Keep an eye out for more updates on the Ballon d'Or 2025 date, time, and live coverage details as we get closer to the big night in Paris. To stay updated on the stories that are going viral, follow Indiatimes Trending.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Ousmane Dembélé sends social media message to Barcelona star
Former Barcelona star Ousmane Dembélé this week sent a public message the way of one of his former teammates in Catalunya's capital. The player in question? Gavi. Midfielder Gavi and wide-man Dembélé are known to have shared a close bond during their shared time in Barcelona colours. Prior to the latter's departure for Paris Saint-Germain back in the summer of 2023, the pair were frequently spotted in warm exchanges on and off the pitch alike. Gavi has for his part made as much clear on numerous occasions, praising Dembélé for his talents and personality alike. And as alluded to above, this week, the Frenchman has moved to return the favour. After Gavi celebrated his 21st birthday on Tuesday, Dembélé took to his official Instagram account to unveil a photo of the pair on the pitch together, accompanied by the caption: 'Happy birthday brother. I love you very much.' Conor Laird – GSFN
Yahoo
30-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Saudi Arabian clubs interested in Marseille's Mason Greenwood
According to a report from L'Équipe, Mason Greenwood (23) has become a target for several Saudi Arabian clubs, who have shown strong interest in the forward after the winger had a successful first season in La Provence, becoming Ligue 1's joint top scorer alongside Ousmane Dembélé (28). It would take a significant offer to convince Marseille to part ways with the former England international (this year, he swapped international allegiances and will now represent Jamaica). As L'Équipe explains, his age, his performances, and his former club Manchester United possessing a 50% sell-on fee, all would contribute to a hefty valuation. Greenwood joined Marseille from his boyhood club last summer for around €30m, including bonuses. The forward had been frozen out of the Manchester United squad after he was charged in 2022 with attempted rape, controlling and coercive behaviour, and assault. All charges have since been dropped, and he has denied all allegations. GFFN | Nick Hartland
