Football agent Vincenzo Raiola has thrown his full support behind Gianluigi Donnarumma, claiming the Paris Saint-Germain and Italy shot-stopper deserves to win the 2025 Ballon d’Or ahead of his own teammate, Ousmane Dembele.
In a strongly-worded interview with the media, Raiola praised Donnarumma’s heroic performances throughout Paris Saint-Germain’s historic UEFA Champions League triumph last season, emphasizing that the goalkeeper’s saves were the cornerstone of PSG’s European glory.
“For me, Donnarumma deserves to win the Ballon d’Or,” Raiola said, speaking via YSScores. “Ousmane Dembele has contributed a lot with his goals, but without Donnarumma’s saves against Liverpool, Aston Villa, and Arsenal, Paris would not have been able to win the Champions League.”
Donnarumma, 26, was instrumental in PSG’s run to their maiden Champions League title, delivering standout performances especially in the knockout stages. The former AC Milan prodigy pulled off a series of world-class saves in crucial matches that ensured the French giants advanced through tense encounters with English opposition — notably Arsenal in the quarter-finals, Aston Villa in the semi-finals, and Liverpool in the final.
While many fans and analysts have highlighted the attacking brilliance of players like Dembele and Kylian Mbappe throughout the season, Raiola argues that defensive stability — and Donnarumma’s presence in goal — was ultimately what carried PSG over the line.
“PSG’s success was down to the saves made by Donnarumma,” Raiola insisted. “He stood tall when the team needed him the most. Those moments changed games and defined their entire campaign.”
His statements have added fuel to the ongoing debate over who truly deserves football’s most prestigious individual honour this year. While attacking players often dominate Ballon d’Or discussions due to their eye-catching goals and assists, Raiola’s defense of a goalkeeper — and a pivotal one at that — is a rare but compelling argument.
Donnarumma’s Champions League campaign included clean sheets in both legs against Arsenal, and a string of saves that denied Liverpool’s frontline in a tense final that was ultimately decided on penalties — a shootout in which he again proved to be PSG’s savior.
Meanwhile, Ousmane Dembele has also had a career-defining season. The French winger, who joined PSG from Barcelona last summer, quickly adapted to Luis Enrique’s tactical system and delivered explosive performances on the wing. His pace, creativity, and crucial goals in Ligue 1 and Europe have made him one of the standout players of the year.
Dembele’s resurgence has not gone unnoticed. He is among the favourites to win the Ballon d’Or in 2025, alongside his French national teammates Kylian Mbappe and Barcelona’s wonderkid Lamine Yamal, as well as Brazil’s Raphinha. The competition is fierce, and the debate over who has done enough to claim football’s top honour is heating up.
However, Raiola believes that goalkeepers are often overlooked in award discussions and that it’s time the narrative changes.
“People are too focused on attackers. Goals win matches, yes, but saves keep you alive. Without Donnarumma, PSG’s journey would have ended early. He gave the team belief and security,” Raiola said.
His comments echo a wider sentiment in the football community that players in defensive positions — particularly goalkeepers — are undervalued when it comes to individual accolades. The last and only goalkeeper to win the Ballon d’Or was Lev Yashin in 1963. Since then, only a handful — including Manuel Neuer and Gianluigi Buffon — have come close.
Donnarumma, who already won the Player of the Tournament at Euro 2020, has continually proven himself on the biggest stages. His dominance in goal, quick reflexes, composure under pressure, and leadership qualities have made him a central figure in PSG’s new-look squad.
This season, he recorded 14 clean sheets in the French Ligue 1 and was named UEFA Champions League Goalkeeper of the Season. His performances not only lifted PSG to European glory but also reignited discussions about the critical role of goalkeepers in modern football.
Meanwhile, Dembele’s stats also demand respect. With 19 goals and 12 assists across all competitions, his attacking output was vital for PSG’s domestic double and European triumph. His creativity and flair often broke down deep defensive lines and provided a spark in difficult matches.
Still, Raiola insists that no forward’s contribution compares to the game-saving interventions made by Donnarumma on PSG’s road to Champions League success.
As the Ballon d’Or ceremony approaches later this year, voters will have the difficult task of deciding between goalkeepers, midfield maestros, and prolific forwards — each with a strong case.
While Dembele may have dazzled fans with goals and skill, and Mbappe might top scoring charts, Raiola is adamant that Donnarumma was the true difference-maker.
“Just watch the games again. Watch what he did against Liverpool. Against Arsenal. Against Aston Villa. He was unbeatable. That’s the definition of a world-best player,” Raiola concluded.
The Ballon d’Or 2025 promises to be one of the most closely contested in recent history, with no clear frontrunner. Whether the voters will heed Raiola’s plea and honour a goalkeeper for the first time in over six decades remains to be seen. What is certain, however, is that Gianluigi Donnarumma’s name is now firmly in the conversation — and for good reason.
Africa Live News will continue to monitor all developments ahead of the Ballon d’Or gala as the debate intensifies over who deserves football’s highest individual honour.
