For many football fans across the world, the Ballon d’Or debate this year seemed to have only two names.
Ousmane Dembele claimed the sport’s highest individual honor after leading Paris Saint-Germain to their first Champions League title and a historic quadruple.
The French winger recorded 35 goals and 16 assists in all competitions, sealing decisive wins that shaped PSG’s greatest season.
For Barcelona, 18-year-old Lamine Yamal inspired a domestic treble with 18 goals and 25 assists, adding a second successive Kopa Trophy to his name and had he lifted the Ballon d’Or, he would have become the youngest winner in history.
While that story was about the award. Footballers continue to share who they view as the best player and now the former Manchester City and Arsenal star has added his choice to the discussion
Vieira thinks this player is the best in the world
For Patrick Vieira, the debate over the world’s best player ends elsewhere. The former Arsenal and Manchester City captain who is now managing Genoa in Serie A reserved his highest praise for PSG’s emerging star Desire Doue.
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“Desire Doue is the best player in the world. Not only did he score in the Champions League final where he showed all his talent, but he had also made great progress at Rennes and continues to improve at PSG,” Vieira said.
🚨🗣️Patrick Vieira: "Desire Doue is the best player in the world.
— The Touchline | 𝐓 (@TouchlineX) October 16, 2025
"Not only did he score in the Champions League final where he showed all his talent, but he had also made great progress at Rennes and continues to improve at PSG." pic.twitter.com/skmTndYob3
The 19 year-old produced 16 goals and 16 assists in 61 appearances across all competitions last year that also included five goals and four assists in the Champions League.