‎'He Looks Like a Fourth Division Player': Chris Waddle Questions Ousmane Dembele's Ballon d'Or Win After Messi and Ronaldo Era Ends

‎Paris Saint-Germain forward Ousmane Dembele has faced criticism from former England international Chris Waddle despite being crowned the 2025 Ballon d’Or winner. Waddle suggested that the French winger can appear “like a fourth division player” at times, even as he succeeded Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo as football’s top individual award recipient.

Chris Waddle says PSG star Ousmane Dembele “looks like a fourth division player” despite his 2025 Ballon d’Or victory ending the Messi-Ronaldo era.

‎Getty Images Sport 

‎

‎The Frenchman’s achievement marked a new chapter in football history, formally concluding an era dominated by Messi and Ronaldo. Between them, the two legends amassed 13 Ballon d’Or titles, setting unprecedented standards during their prolonged supremacy at the sport’s highest level.

‎

‎Messi, now 38, continues his career in Major League Soccer with Inter Miami, having last claimed the award in 2023 after leading Argentina to World Cup triumph in Qatar 2022. Ronaldo, aged 40, remains active in the Saudi Pro League with Al-Nassr. Their transition away from European football has seen new contenders emerge for the prestigious Golden Ball.

‎

‎Manchester City and Spain midfielder Rodri lifted the award in 2024 following an outstanding season that included Premier League success and victory at the European Championship. Dembele followed him as the 2025 winner, narrowly surpassing Barcelona’s teenage sensation Lamine Yamal to secure football’s top honor.

‎

‎Waddle, who represented Marseille during his playing career, shared his assessment of Dembele and modern player evaluation in an interview with BoyleSports. The former winger argued that statistics have become overly influential in determining a player’s greatness. “People are too invested in stats,” Waddle said. “Being the top goalscorer proves someone is good at scoring goals, but that doesn’t necessarily make them a great player.”

‎

‎Reflecting on Messi and Ronaldo’s dominance, Waddle highlighted their consistency and all-around excellence. “Ousmane Dembele won it this year, but he’s an off-the-cuff player,” Waddle added. “Sometimes he dribbles like Messi, but other weeks he looks like a fourth division player. You never know what you’re going to get with him.”

‎

‎The ex-England international elaborated on the distinction between great players and pure goalscorers. He cited Wayne Rooney, Alan Shearer, and Harry Kane as examples of players who contributed beyond goalscoring. “Harry Kane can play as both a number nine and a ten,” Waddle noted. “He’s an all-around footballer who creates and scores.”

‎

‎Kane’s name continues to feature in transfer discussions, with speculation linking the Bayern Munich striker to a Premier League return. Reports indicate that a clause in his contract could allow him to move in 2026. Waddle suggested that Kane, Tottenham Hotspur’s all-time leading scorer, could pursue new challenges abroad, with Real Madrid among potential destinations alongside Kylian Mbappe and Jude Bellingham.