As the 2024-25 UEFA Nations League reaches its thrilling semi-final stage, the spotlight is firmly on two of Europe’s brightest football stars: Spain’s Lamine Yamal and France’s Ousmane Dembélé. Both players are not only pivotal to their national teams’ ambitions but also stand as the leading contenders for the coveted 2025 Ballon d’Or, set to be awarded in Paris on September 22. With the semi-final clash between Spain and France scheduled for June 6, 2025, fans and pundits alike are eagerly anticipating a showdown that could influence the individual honors race as much as the team glory.
The Nations League semi-finals begin on June 5 with a high-stakes encounter between host nation Germany and defending champions Portugal. Germany, ranked 10th by FIFA, aims to capture their first major tournament title since the 2014 World Cup, while Portugal, ranked 7th, seeks to reclaim the trophy they first won in 2019. The match features two football legends leading their sides: Joshua Kimmich and Cristiano Ronaldo. Kimmich currently tops the tournament’s assist charts with five, and despite his age, Ronaldo leads in goals with six, underscoring his enduring quality. Germany’s recent dominance over Portugal, with five consecutive wins, adds an extra layer of intrigue to this battle of football titans.
Following this, on June 6, the defending Nations League champions Spain face off against France, ranked 2nd and 3rd in FIFA’s rankings respectively. Spain is on an impressive 18-match unbeaten run in international fixtures and is chasing a second consecutive Nations League title after their Euro 2024 triumph. France, meanwhile, is hungry to end a seven-year wait for a major international trophy since their 2018 World Cup victory. Historically, Spain holds a slight edge over France with three wins to two in their recent head-to-head encounters, but the current form and stakes make this a fiercely contested fixture.
Central to Spain’s hopes is the young prodigy Lamine Yamal, who has been dazzling fans and critics alike this season. At just 17 years old, Yamal has made an indelible mark with FC Barcelona, contributing 18 goals and 21 assists across 55 appearances. His performances were instrumental in Barcelona securing the La Liga title, Copa del Rey, and reaching the UEFA Champions League semi-finals. Yamal’s flair and composure on the big stage have elevated him to one of the most exciting talents in world football, and he is widely tipped to finish on the Ballon d’Or podium, potentially becoming the youngest ever to do so.
On the French side, Ousmane Dembélé has enjoyed a sensational campaign with Paris Saint-Germain, tallying 33 goals and 13 assists in 49 matches. His contributions helped PSG achieve a historic treble, winning Ligue 1, the Coupe de France, and the UEFA Champions League, where he shone with eight goals and six assists. Dembélé’s performances in the Champions League final, where PSG thrashed Inter Milan 5-0, have solidified his status as the frontrunner for the Ballon d’Or. Given the weight that Champions League success carries in the award’s history, Dembélé currently holds a significant advantage over Yamal.
Despite the numbers favoring Dembélé, Yamal remains undeterred and confident ahead of their Nations League semi-final encounter. At a press conference on June 2, 2025 (KST), Yamal remarked on the Ballon d’Or race, saying, “The Ballon d’Or? If people want to finish the competition on Thursday, then we will finish it on Thursday.” This statement, made just days before facing France, underscored Yamal’s belief that the match could be decisive not only for national pride but also for individual accolades.
When pressed further about who he thinks will win the Ballon d’Or, Yamal added, “The Ballon d’Or will be awarded to the best player this year. However, if you want to decide who wins it in the Spain vs. France game, that will be on Thursday. Let’s imagine what will happen between me and Dembélé in that game.” He kept the final verdict a secret, adding, “But I won’t say who it is. I’ll keep it a secret.” His playful confidence reflects both his maturity and the high stakes of the upcoming match.
Adding to the pressure and excitement, Yamal is set to don Barcelona’s iconic No. 10 jersey starting next season, a number worn by legends of the game. When asked if this would add pressure, he responded with characteristic composure: “More pressure wearing the No. 10? When I try to kick the ball into the goal, I won’t think about the number I’m wearing.” This mindset highlights Yamal’s focus on performance over expectations, a quality that has endeared him to fans and coaches alike.
The Nations League itself, while prestigious, is often seen as less influential on Ballon d’Or outcomes compared to the Champions League or major international tournaments like the FIFA World Cup or the UEFA European Championship. However, with no major international tournaments scheduled this year, the Nations League semi-finals and final carry added significance in shaping perceptions of the best players on the planet.
As the semi-finals unfold, the football world watches closely. Germany and Portugal’s clash on June 5 will set the tone, with the winner advancing to face either Spain or France in the final on June 9. The third-place playoff is scheduled for June 8. All matches will be broadcast live on SPOTV Prime and SPOTV NOW, ensuring fans worldwide can witness these high-stakes encounters.
For Yamal and Dembélé, the coming days represent more than just a Nations League semi-final; they are a stage to cement their legacies in European football. While Dembélé’s treble-winning season gives him the edge in the Ballon d’Or race, Yamal’s youth, talent, and recent performances make him a formidable challenger. Regardless of the outcome, both players have already delivered remarkable seasons that will be remembered for years to come.
With the Ballon d’Or ceremony months away, debates and discussions will continue to swirl around these two stars. Yet, on June 6, all eyes will be on the pitch as Spain and France battle not only for a place in the Nations League final but also for bragging rights in one of football’s most compelling individual rivalries.
