Home SPORTS Ballon d'Or 2025: Ousmane Dembélé Favored to Win, Aitana Bonmati Aims for Treble

Ballon d'Or 2025: Ousmane Dembélé Favored to Win, Aitana Bonmati Aims for Treble

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Ousmane Dembele
Ousmane Dembele 



Paris Saint-Germain star Ousmane Dembele is tipped to hold off Barcelona sensation Lamine Yamal and win the men's Ballon d'Or on Monday, while Aitana Bonmati's chances of claiming a third straight women's prize hang in the balance.



“He's unpredictable, creative, daring. He’s often unreadable — and he scores plenty of goals....”


Ousmane Dembele is the favorite to win the Ballon d'Or, edging out Barcelona's teenage sensation Lamine Yamal, according to recent predictions. Dembele's impressive performance last season, scoring 35 goals for Paris Saint-Germain, has positioned him strongly for the award. PSG's dominance is evident in the list of nominees, with nine team members featured, including Desire Doue, Achraf Hakimi, and Gianluigi Donnarumma.


Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo dominated the Ballon d'Or awards from 2008 to 2023, winning the prestigious prize 13 times between them. However, last year's award marked a shift in the era, with Manchester City midfielder Rodri taking home the honor after leading Spain to Euro 2024 glory. With Rodri's chances of retaining the award slim due to an injury-plagued season, Ousmane Dembele has emerged as the top contender.


Dembele's impressive performance last season makes a strong case for his win. Scoring 35 goals and providing 16 assists in 53 appearances, he played a pivotal role in PSG's success, including their historic Champions League win. His ability to adapt to different roles on the field, particularly as a false 9, showcased his versatility and skill.






The nominated players include:

Forwards:

  • Ousmane Dembélé: A key player in PSG's success, scoring 35 goals and filling the void left by Kylian Mbappe's departure.
  • Desire Doue: A talented young player who made his debut for France's senior team in March 2025 and played a crucial role in PSG's historic quadruple.
  • Khvicha Kvaratskhelia: A skilled attacker who has been instrumental in PSG's victories.


Defenders:

  • Achraf Hakimi: A versatile defender who has consistently performed well for PSG.
  • Nuno Mendes: A skilled left-back who has contributed to PSG's success.


Midfielders:
  • Joao Neves: A talented young midfielder who has racked up 59 appearances, 7 goals, and 10 assists for PSG.
  • Fabian Ruiz: A creative midfielder who has played a key role in PSG's victories.
  • Vitinha: A skilled midfielder who has been instrumental in PSG's success.


Goalkeeper:  

  • Gianluigi Donnarumma: A top-class goalkeeper who has made crucial saves for PSG, despite now being associated with Manchester City, though his current team affiliation might be an error since he is still listed as a PSG player in recent performances.


PSG's coach, Luis Enrique, has also been nominated for the Men's Coach of the Year award, after leading the team to a historic quadruple, including the Champions League, Ligue 1, Coupe de France, and Trophée des Champions. The Ballon d'Or ceremony will take place on September 22, 2025, at the Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris.




Ousmane Dembele has been outstanding this season, stepping up to fill the void left by Kylian Mbappe's departure from Paris Saint-Germain. He scored 35 goals and provided 16 assists in 53 matches across all competitions, helping PSG achieve a domestic clean sweep and reach the final of the Club World Cup. This remarkable performance has made him a leading contender for the Ballon d'Or award.


Dembele's journey to becoming one of the world's best players hasn't been straightforward. After struggling to find his footing at Barcelona, where he was once seen as a promising young talent, Dembele has reinvented himself at PSG. Under the guidance of coach Luis Enrique, he's developed into a versatile player, capable of playing in various positions and contributing significantly to his team's success.


PSG manager Luis Enrique believes Dembele deserves the Ballon d'Or, citing his exceptional performance in the Champions League final, where he demonstrated remarkable leadership and defensive skills. “Without a shadow of a doubt, he deserves this,” Enrique said, praising Dembele's all-around contribution to the team. Other notable figures, including Sergio Busquets and Thierry Henry, have also backed Dembele for the award.


While Dembele is the current favorite, other top players like Lamine Yamal, Mohamed Salah, and Raphinha are also in contention. The Ballon d'Or ceremony will take place on September 22 at the Theatre du Chatelet in Paris, where the world's best players will gather to discover who will be crowned the latest winner.


“I think it's true that I am one of the favourites, but we will see what happens,” he said of a gong he has described as “the individual Holy Grail.”


Lamine Yamal, an 18-year-old winger for Barcelona, is a standout nominee for the Ballon d'Or award. He's been hailed as the successor to Lionel Messi and has already made a significant impact in the football world. Yamal's impressive performance in the European Championship, where he helped Spain win their fourth title, earned him the Young Player of the Tournament award. He also won the Kopa Trophy for the best player aged under 21 at last year's Ballon d'Or gala.



Yamal's Achievements:

Youngest Player to Win the Euros: Yamal became the youngest player to win the European Championship at just 17 years old.

Record-Breaking Performances: He broke multiple records for Barcelona, including becoming the youngest starter, youngest player to record an assist, and youngest player to score a brace in La Liga.

Exceptional Skills: Yamal is known for his exceptional dribbling, passing, and chance-creation abilities, making him a valuable asset to both Barcelona and the Spanish national team.


Yamal's talent and achievements have garnered attention from football legends like Ronaldinho and Ivan Rakitic, who believe he has the potential to win the Ballon d'Or. Ronaldinho praised Yamal's creativity and unpredictability on the field, saying, “He's unpredictable, creative, daring. He’s often unreadable — and he scores plenty of goals.” With his impressive performances and potential, Yamal is definitely a contender for the prestigious award.


Lamine Yamal's impressive performance last season saw him score 18 goals in 55 games across all competitions. He played a pivotal role in Barcelona's success, helping the team win La Liga and the Spanish Copa del Rey. Although Barcelona fell short in the Champions League, losing to Inter in the semi-finals, Yamal's individual brilliance has earned him recognition as a top contender for the Ballon d'Or.


Yamal's Ambition:

Winning Multiple Ballon d'Or Awards: Yamal expressed his ambition, saying, “I don't dream of winning one Ballon d'Or, I dream of winning lots.” This statement reflects his confidence and determination to continue performing at the highest level.

Following in the Footsteps of Legends: With his talent and work ethic, Yamal is seen as a potential successor to football legends like Lionel Messi. His impressive start to his career has garnered attention from football fans and experts alike.


Yamal's success at such a young age is a testament to his hard work and dedication. As he continues to grow and develop as a player, the football world will be watching to see if he can fulfill his ambitions and win not just one, but multiple Ballon d'Or awards.


Ballon d'Or Favorites

Aitana Bonmatí is a strong contender to retain her Women's Ballon d'Or award, having won it consecutively in 2023 and 2024. Her impressive performances in the 2023-2024 season, including helping Barcelona win the treble and Spain claim the Women's World Cup title, make her a top candidate. 




Other notable nominees for the women's award include:


Top Contenders:
    
Aitana Bonmatí (Barcelona and Spain): Won the award in 2023 and 2024, and continues to dominate women's football.
    
Alexia Putellas (Barcelona and Spain): A two-time winner of the Ballon d'Or, looking to reclaim her title.
   

Other Notable Nominees:

  • Alessia Russo (Arsenal and England)
  •  Hannah Hampton ( Chelsea and England)
  •  Lucy Bronze (Chelsea and England)
  •  Chloe Kelly (Arsenal and England)


The men's Ballon d'Or award has a competitive lineup, with top players like:


Top Contenders:
    
Ousmane Dembélé (Paris Saint-Germain): Favored to win after a standout season with 35 goals.
    
Lamine Yamal (Barcelona): Exceptional performance at just 18 years old.
  

Other Notable Nominees:

  • Viktor Gyokeres
  • Erling Haaland
  • Harry Kane
  • Cole Palmer
  • Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk (key duo from Liverpool's 2024-2025 Premier League triumph)


Ballon d'Or Nominees

Real Madrid stars Kylian Mbappé and Vinicius Junior have been nominated for the prestigious Ballon d'Or award. This comes after a notable absence of controversy surrounding Real Madrid's past interactions with the award. The voting process for the Ballon d'Or involves a panel of journalists from the top 100 countries in the FIFA world rankings, ensuring a diverse and global perspective on the best players in the world.


2025 Ballon d'Or Nominees:

Top Contenders:
    
Ousmane Dembele (Paris Saint-Germain): Favored to win after a standout season with 35 goals.
    
Lamine Yamal (Barcelona): Exceptional performance at just 18 years old.
    
Vinicius Junior (Real Madrid): Consistent brilliance and key role in Real Madrid's successes.
    
Kylian Mbappé (Real Madrid): Explosive pace and clinical finishing.


Other Notable Nominees:

  •  Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid): Solid campaign despite injuries.
  •  Mohamed Salah (Liverpool): Exceptional performance in the Premier League.
  •  Erling Haaland (Manchester City): Consistent goal-scoring ability.
  • Rodri (Manchester City): Crucial role in Manchester City's Premier League title and Spain's Euro victory.


2025 Women's Ballon d'Or Favorites

Aitana Bonmati, the exceptional Barcelona and Spain star, is going for a treble as she tops the list for the prestigious Women's Ballon d'Or award. Despite Spain losing the UEFA Women's Euro final to England on penalties, Bonmati's outstanding performance earned her the Player of the Tournament title. Her Barcelona team also reached the Champions League final but lost to Arsenal in May.


Top Contenders

Aitana Bonmati (Barcelona and Spain): Two-time winner and current favorite, known for her exceptional skill and recent accolades.

Alessia Russo (Arsenal and England): Strong contender after helping Arsenal win the Champions League and scoring crucial goals in the Euros.

Alexia Putellas (Barcelona and Spain): Two-time winner and consistent performer, looking to reclaim her title.


Other notable contenders:

  • Hannah Hampton (Chelsea and England): Impressive goalkeeping performances.
  • Lucy Bronze (Chelsea and England): Exceptional defensive skills and experience.
  •  Mariona Caldentey (Arsenal and Spain): Key player in Arsenal's success.
  •  Marta (Orlando Pride and Brazil): Veteran player with a strong track record.


Competition and Expectations
The 2025 Women's Ballon d'Or ceremony promises to be exciting, with several talented players in contention. The winner will be announced on September 22, and the voting process reflects performances across the 2024-2025 season.


Aitana Bonmati and Alexia Putellas have a strong chance of winning the Ballon d'Or Féminin award. One factor working in their favor is the lack of a clear standout player from the England team, despite their Euro triumph. Although England's Chloe Kelly scored the decisive penalty in the final, the team's nominated players don't have a single dominant figure.


The Ballon d'Or ceremony will take place on Monday, September 22, at the Theatre du Chatelet in Paris, where the best players, coaches, and teams will be honored. The award is decided by a panel of journalists from the top 100 countries in the FIFA world rankings.



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