Paris Saint-Germain’s star forward, Ousmane Dembele, is widely expected to clinch this year’s prestigious Ballon d’Or, fending off a strong challenge from Barcelona’s young sensation Lamine Yamal.
The world’s footballing elite will gather at the Theatre du Chatelet in Paris to witness the announcement, with Dembele, 28, emerging as the clear favourite for the award.
After dominating Europe’s top leagues with PSG, Dembele has had an extraordinary season, scoring 35 goals and filling the void left by Kylian Mbappe’s departure. His phenomenal performances helped PSG secure a domestic treble and reach the final of the Club World Cup.
“I am truly honoured to be in the running for such an esteemed award,” Dembele said in an interview with Le Monde. “It’s a testament to a fantastic season with PSG, and while I believe I’m a contender, we will see what happens.”
While Dembele seems poised to claim the crown, rising star Yamal, 18, has had a breakthrough season at Barcelona. Yamal’s exceptional skills, already drawing comparisons to club legend Lionel Messi, have made him a formidable opponent in the race for the Ballon d’Or. The youngster recently stated, “I don’t dream of winning one Ballon d’Or; I dream of winning many.”
However, Yamal’s path to the prize is complicated by Barcelona’s disappointing exit from the Champions League last season. Despite scoring 18 goals in 55 appearances, Barcelona’s campaign ended in the semi-finals at the hands of Inter Milan, which likely hindered his chances.
Dembele’s success is further bolstered by the depth of PSG’s talent pool. Nine members of the Parisian club’s squad, including Achraf Hakimi, Gianluigi Donnarumma, and Fabian Ruiz, are among the 30 nominees, thanks to their stellar performances in the Champions League.
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The 2025 Ballon d’Or ceremony will also feature notable names such as Erling Haaland, Mohamed Salah, and Virgil van Dijk. Haaland’s goalscoring prowess for Manchester City and Salah’s leadership in Liverpool’s Premier League title win make them strong contenders.
The women’s Ballon d’Or is also a closely contested race, with Barcelona’s Aitana Bonmati eyeing her third consecutive win after leading Spain to Euro 2024 glory. However, her club’s recent loss to Arsenal in the Women’s Champions League final could affect her chances.
The Ballon d’Or has long been a battle between Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, who claimed 13 titles between them from 2008 to 2023. With both legends now in the twilight of their careers, this year’s ceremony marks the start of a new era in football’s most coveted individual award.
The award is determined by a panel of sports journalists, one from each of the top 100 FIFA-ranked countries, ensuring a wide-ranging, fair decision-making process.
