Usman Dembélé (28, Paris Saint-Germain) becoming a "Ballon d'Or winner" ahead of Kylian Mbappé (27, Real Madrid) is becoming a reality.

PSG defeated Inter Milan 5-0 in the UEFA Champions League (UCL) final for the 2024-2025 season held at Allianz Arena in Munich, Germany, on the 1st (Korean time).

With this, PSG achieved their dream for the first time in 55 years since their founding in 1970 by winning the Big Ears (UCL trophy). They accomplished a historic quadruple after winning the French Ligue 1, Trophée des Champions, and Coupe de France.

It was a one-sided game. PSG took the lead just 12 minutes into the match with a perfect assist from Dézire Due to Achraf Hakimi. Furthermore, at the 20th minute of the first half, a shot from Due, who received a pass from Dembélé, was deflected off a defender, resulting in a consolidation goal.

There was no twist in the second half either. Instead, PSG widened the score gap to 5 goals with successive goals from Due, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, and Senny Mayulu, crushing Inter. Lee Kang-in remained on the bench until the end, but the match concluded with PSG's historic 5-0 victory.

The star of the match was undoubtedly Due. Born in 2005, he became the youngest player to score more than two goals in a UCL final at just 19 years and 362 days old. The previous record was held by Eusébio, who scored against Real Madrid at the age of 20 years and 97 days in 1962.

He easily surpassed the record of 'God of Football' Lionel Messi (Inter Miami). Messi scored in a UCL final at the age of 21 years, 11 months, and 3 days. However, Due became the protagonist of the final at an age nearly two years younger.

It was only natural that Due was named the official Player of the Match (POTM) selected by UEFA. UEFA noted, "It's astonishing that at the age of 19, he scored two goals and provided an assist in a UCL final. He displayed incredibly mature play and altruistically assisted Hakimi's goal. He also worked very hard defensively."

After experiencing a dreamlike day, Due expressed his overwhelming emotions, saying, "I have no words. It was really amazing. It's unbelievable."

Dembélé's outstanding performance should not be overlooked. He started as the forward in a 4-3-3 formation, diligently moving between the wings and centrally, creating cracks in Inter's defense. He consistently dropped back to help defensively, creating space for his teammates. His final stats were 2 assists, a passing accuracy of 97% (39/45), 3 chances created, 1 big chance created, and 4 shots.

Dembélé has now established himself as the leading candidate for the Ballon d'Or. He has scored 33 goals and provided 15 assists in 49 matches across all competitions this season, notably recording attacking points in every round of the UCL with 8 goals and 6 assists. He surpassed Mbappé to set a record for the most attacking points in a single season in PSG history.

Having achieved the quadruple, Dembélé is leading in various media and betting site Ballon d'Or dividends, surpassing players like Raphinha and Lamine Yamal (both from Barcelona). Mbappé, previously considered the most likely next-generation Ballon d'Or candidate after Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, is already out of the rankings. After leaving for Real Madrid last summer, he has had to watch from afar as his former team PSG won and his former teammate Dembélé climbed to the Ballon d'Or.

Luis Enrique, PSG's head coach, also raised his voice for Dembélé to win the Ballon d'Or. He stated, "Dembélé led the team with humility and leadership. Just his defensive contributions in the final alone merit a Ballon d'Or. Goals, victories, leadership, defense, pressure... Dembélé is the Ballon d'Or in my heart. There is no doubt about it."

[Photo] PSG, Sports Premi, Sports Kida, 365 Scores, UCL Social Media.

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