Football thrives on subjectivity. Whether you’re biased by your own team or not, the beauty of the game’s biggest debates is that there is no single “correct” answer.
The Champions League roared back to life last week, delivering three out of four matches that served as brilliant advertisements for the game, each showcasing moments of individual brilliance from the players at the heart of this debate.
From Garrincha to Messi, the right flank has always hosted football’s greatest entertainers. In today’s game, however, the debate is wide open: who can actually claim to be the best right winger in the world? And, is there going to be another right winger Ballon d'Or winner?
At Everything Barca, we explore the elite talent across the globe without necessarily crowning a number one, though, through a Blaugrana lens, there is only ever one clear winner.
Ousmane Dembélé - the current Ballon d'Or holder
The Frenchman has successfully silenced the skeptics claiming one-season wonder after a slow start to his season.. While an early-season injury threatened to derail his rhythm and consistency, Dembélé has roared back into elite form, reclaiming his status as one of Europe’s most dangerous outlets. His production since returning to full fitness has been nothing short of clinical, boasting 16 goals and nine assists in just 33 appearances.
Dembélé’s true value lies in his "clutch" factor, particularly during Paris Saint-Germain’s glorious Champions League run last season where he acted as the team's creative heartbeat. He proved his ability to return under the brightest lights during the quarter-finals against Liverpool, scoring twice at Anfield to silence the crowd and effectively seal the tie.
This reputation for delivering in high-stakes moments has solidified his credibility as a world-class talent. Those goals set the stage for a mouth-watering tactical battle in the next round, as he prepares to go head-to-head against Michael Olise and a formidable Bayern Munich side.
Michael Olise - the most in-form stats wise
Arguably the most direct of the running wingers in the Bundesliga this season, the nonchalant French international has been in superb form. His output for Bayern Munich has been nothing short of elite, racking up 12 goals and a league-leading 18 assists across all competitions this term.
Goals | Assists | |
|---|---|---|
Ousamme Dembele | 16 | 9 |
Michael Olise | 18 | 29 |
Lamine Yamal | 23 | 18 |
While these chances have been clinically dispatched by the ever-reliable Harry Kane, the same cannot be said for Bayern's other wide options. While he has flourished with a world-class focal point to aim for, his counterparts have struggled with a lack of consistency and clinical finishing from the secondary strikers in the squad.
Should he secure a Champions League title or a World Cup winner's medal, he will surely be the frontrunner to lift the Ballon d'Or at the end of the year.
Lamine Yamal - the present and the future
Yamal is a magician. This season, you’ve seen his ability to glide through tight, crowded spaces but also his technical brilliance at a consistently elite level.
The Spaniard delivered on the biggest stage, arguably emerging as the best player on the pitch across both Champions League quarter-finals against Atlético. With that chapter now closed, his focus shifts to securing La Liga early and pushing his already impressive tally of 23 goals and 18 assists even higher.
Widely regarded as one of the brightest talents in world football, Yamal’s next challenge is clear: to make a defining impact on the World Cup stage. If he does, he won’t just be in contention for his first Ballon d’Or, he could be setting the foundation for many more to come.
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