PSG’s Dembele tipped to beat Lamine Yamal for Ballon d’Or award | Football News

3 hours ago 3 hours ago

PSG’s Dembele Poised to Outshine Lamine Yamal in Race for Ballon d’Or Glory | Football News

by Lifeinlagos 3 hours ago3 hours ago

1.4kviews

Ousmane Dembele, the forward for Paris Saint-Germain, is widely predicted to surpass Barcelona’s young prodigy Lamine Yamal and claim the men’s Ballon d’Or award, while Spain’s Aitana Bonmati is poised to secure her third straight women’s Ballon d’Or title.

Here’s a comprehensive overview of the Ballon d’Or 2025:

Understanding the Ballon d’Or

The Ballon d’Or stands as football’s most esteemed individual accolade, awarded annually to honor extraordinary skill and remarkable accomplishments on the pitch.

Since its inception in 1956, France Football has been the proud presenter of this prestigious honor.

When Does the Ballon d’Or 2025 Ceremony Begin?

The glamorous event, often dubbed the “Oscars of football,” is set to commence at 19:00 GMT on a Monday evening.

Venue for the Ballon d’Or Ceremony

This year’s ceremony will take place at the iconic Theatre du Chatelet located in Paris, France.

Top Contenders for the Men’s Ballon d’Or 2025

Among the 30 nominees, 28-year-old Dembele from France has emerged as the frontrunner, especially with a strong representation from PSG, the Champions League winners.

PSG’s historic 5-0 victory over Inter Milan to claim their first European title has seen nine of their players nominated.

At just 18, Barcelona’s Lamine Yamal shines as a rising star on the wing, often hailed as the heir to the legendary Lionel Messi.

Other prominent candidates include Viktor Gyokeres, Erling Haaland, Harry Kane, Cole Palmer, and Liverpool’s pivotal duo Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk, who were instrumental in their 2024-25 Premier League success.

Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius Junior also feature on the list, marking a return after Real Madrid’s boycott last year due to Vinicius being overlooked.

Why Are Dembele and Yamal Leading the Men’s Ballon d’Or Race?

Dembele’s stellar season, where he stepped up to fill the void left by Mbappe at PSG, netting 35 goals, gives him a significant advantage.

His efforts propelled PSG to a domestic treble and a spot in the FIFA Club World Cup final, showcasing an outstanding campaign both for the club and himself, transitioning seamlessly from winger to central striker.

Due to a postponed Ligue 1 match against Marseille caused by severe weather, many PSG nominees might miss the ceremony; however, despite an injury, Dembele is expected to attend.

Yamal, last year’s Kopa Trophy winner for the best player under 21, played a key role in Spain’s European Championship victory and contributed 18 goals across 55 appearances as Barcelona clinched La Liga and the Copa del Rey, though they fell short in the Champions League semifinals against Inter.

Dembele’s Reaction to His Ballon d’Or Nomination

Reflecting on his nomination, Dembele told Le Monde, “It feels great after an incredible season with PSG. I recognize that I’m among the favourites, but the outcome remains to be seen.”

Yamal’s Perspective on the Ballon d’Or

Yamal expressed his ambitions candidly: “I don’t just dream of winning one Ballon d’Or; I aspire to win many.”

Men’s Ballon d’Or 2025 Nominees

Ousmane Dembele (France/PSG)
Gianluigi Donnarumma (Italy/PSG)
Jude Bellingham (England/Real Madrid)
Desire Doue (France/PSG)
Denzel Dumfries (Netherlands/Inter Milan)
Serhou Guirassy (Guinea/Borussia Dortmund)
Erling Haaland (Norway/Manchester City)
Viktor Gyokeres (Sweden/Arsenal)
Achraf Hakimi (Morocco/PSG)
Harry Kane (England/Bayern Munich)
Khvicha Kvaratskhelia (Georgia/PSG)
Robert Lewandowski (Poland/Barcelona)
Alexis Mac Allister (Argentina/Liverpool)
Lautaro Martinez (Argentina/Inter Milan)
Scott McTominay (Scotland/Naples)
Kylian Mbappe (France/Real Madrid)
Nuno Mendes (Portugal/PSG)
Joao Neves (Portugal/PSG)
Pedri (Spain/Barcelona)
Cole Palmer (England/Chelsea)
Michael Olise (France/Bayern Munich)
Raphinha (Brazil/Barcelona)
Declan Rice (England/Arsenal)
Fabian Ruiz (Scotland/PSG)
Virgil van Dijk (Netherlands/Liverpool)
Vinicius (Brazil/Real Madrid)
Mohamed Salah (Egypt/Liverpool)
Florian Wirtz (Germany/Liverpool)
Vitinha (Portugal/PSG)
Lamine Yamal (Spain/Barcelona)

Ballon d’Or Voting Process Explained

The award is determined based on performances during the most recent season, shifting away from the previous calendar year format. A panel of journalists representing the top 100 FIFA-ranked countries each cast their votes.

Each juror ranks their top 10 players from the 30 nominees, assigning points in descending order: 15 for first place, 12 for second, 10 for third, followed by 8, 7, 5, 4, 3, 2, and 1 point respectively.

What does it take to be a Ballon d’Or? #ballondor pic.twitter.com/ruzMU94ov4

– Ballon d’Or (@ballondor) September 22, 2025

Leading Candidates for the Women’s Ballon d’Or 2025

Aitana Bonmati, the standout player for Barcelona and Spain, is aiming to secure her third consecutive women’s Ballon d’Or.

At 27, Bonmati’s exceptional skills earned her the player of the tournament award at the UEFA Women’s Euro held in July.

Despite Spain’s narrow loss to England on penalties in the final, and Barcelona’s defeat to Arsenal in the Champions League final in May, Bonmati remains a strong contender.

Interestingly, the victorious England squad lacks a clear frontrunner, with several nominees including Lucy Bronze, goalkeeper Hannah Hampton, Alessia Russo, captain Leah Williamson, and Chloe Kelly, who netted the winning penalty.

Record Holders for Ballon d’Or Titles

For many years, the award was dominated by Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, who collectively secured 13 Ballon d’Or trophies between 2008 and 2023.

Messi holds the record with eight wins, the latest in 2023, while Ronaldo’s last triumph was in 2017, having won five times.