Ballon d'Or 2025: Ousmane Dembele Favored to Win Prestigious Award
The Ballon d'Or 2025 ceremony is set to take place in Paris, honoring the best men's and women's footballers of the 2024/25 season.
“It is nice after what was a wonderful season with PSG...”
The highly anticipated Ballon d'Or ceremony is set to take place on September 22 at the Theatre du Chatelet in Paris. Paris Saint-Germain forward Ousmane Dembele is expected to edge out Barcelona's teenage sensation Lamine Yamal for the men's award. This year's ceremony promises to be an exciting event, honoring the best footballers globally.
In the women's category, Aitana Bonmatí is looking to make history by winning her third consecutive Ballon d'Or. She has already won the award in 2023 and 2024, and her consistent performance makes her a strong contender for the top spot. Other talented players are also in the running, but Bonmatí's recent form and dominance in the sport make her a likely winner.
Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo have dominated the Ballon d'Or awards for years, with 13 wins between 2008 and 2023. However, this year's ceremony might see a new winner, breaking the duo's long-standing hold on the award. The likes of Rodri, who won the award in 2024, have shown that other talented players can also claim the top spot.
The Ballon d'Or ceremony is set to take place on Monday, honoring the best footballers globally. Last year's winner, Manchester City midfielder Rodri, won't be repeating his feat this year due to an injury-plagued season. Instead, 28-year-old PSG forward Ousmane Dembele has emerged as the favorite to claim the top prize.
Dembele's impressive performance has made him the bookmakers' favorite, surpassing Barcelona's Lamine Yamal. With 43 goal contributions in 44 Ligue 1 and Champions League games, Dembele led PSG to a historic treble, including the Coupe de France. His remarkable season makes him a strong contender for the award.
👋 Bonjour
— Ballon d'Or (@ballondor) September 22, 2025
📍 Paris
🌡️ 11°C #ballondor pic.twitter.com/KVOOASpRrD
The PSG contingent includes notable players like Desire Doue, Achraf Hakimi, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, and goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma, who has since joined Manchester City. This dominance showcases PSG's exceptional season and strengthens Dembele's chances.
Other top contenders for the award include Barcelona's Lamine Yamal, Liverpool's Mohamed Salah, and Real Madrid's Kylian Mbappe. Despite being the favorite, Dembele will miss the ceremony due to PSG's scheduled match against Marseille, which was pushed back due to bad weather.
Ousmane Dembele's Impressive Season
Ousmane Dembele is the favorite to win the Ballon d'Or, thanks to his outstanding performance last season. He scored 35 goals and filled the void left by Kylian Mbappe's departure from Paris Saint-Germain. Dembele's contributions helped PSG achieve a domestic clean sweep and reach the final of the Club World Cup.
Nine members of the PSG team that won the Champions League are nominated for the Ballon d'Or, showcasing the team's dominance. Alongside Dembele, other notable PSG players in the running include Desire Doue, Achraf Hakimi, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, Nuno Mendes, Joao Neves, Fabian Ruiz, and Vitinha. Goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma, now with Manchester City, is also a nominee.
Barcelona's Lamine Yamal is Dembele's main competition for the award. The 18-year-old sensation had an impressive season, scoring 18 goals in 55 games and helping Barcelona win La Liga and the Spanish Copa del Rey. Yamal's youth and talent make him a strong contender, but Dembele's consistency and trophy haul give him an edge.
Kylian Mbappe, now with Real Madrid, has expressed his support for Dembele and Achraf Hakimi in the Ballon d'Or voting. Mbappe believes Dembele deserves the award after his exceptional season with PSG.
Ousmane Dembele had an extraordinary season with Paris Saint-Germain, adapting from winger to centre-forward and delivering impressive performances. “It is nice after what was a wonderful season with PSG,” Dembele told Le Monde, reflecting on his successful campaign. His versatility and goal-scoring ability made him a key player for the French club.
Dembele's outstanding season has earned him recognition as a leading contender for the Ballon d'Or. His ability to fill the void left by Kylian Mbappe's departure and score crucial goals has been pivotal in PSG's success. Dembele's comments highlight his appreciation for the acknowledgment, but he remains focused on the team's achievements rather than individual accolades.
Ousmane Dembele has expressed cautious optimism about his chances of winning the Ballon d'Or, saying, “I think it's true that I am one of the favourites, but we will see what happens.” This year's ceremony promises to be exciting, with Dembele's impressive season making him a strong contender. He led Paris Saint-Germain to a historic treble, including the UEFA Champions League title, and scored 35 goals in the process.
Dembele's availability for the ceremony is uncertain due to an injury, but it's worth noting that his PSG teammates, who are also nominated, might miss the event due to their rescheduled match against Marseille. The Ligue 1 fixture was postponed by 24 hours because of storms in southern France, and it's likely that the players will prioritize their team's schedule.
Lamine Yamal's Ballon d'Or Ambition
Lamine Yamal has been making waves in the football world with his exceptional skills and has been touted as a potential successor to Lionel Messi. Yamal's impressive performances, including helping Barcelona win La Liga, make him a formidable opponent for Dembele. PSG manager Luis Enrique has praised Dembele's work rate and humility, stating that he deserves the Ballon d'Or for his outstanding contributions to the team.
Lamine has expressed his ambitious goal of winning multiple Ballon d'Or titles. “I don't dream of winning one Ballon d'Or, I dream of winning lots,” Yamal said, showcasing his confidence and dedication to his craft. This bold statement reflects his desire to follow in the footsteps of football legends like Lionel Messi, who has won the award a record eight times.
Yamal's impressive performance last season contributed significantly to Barcelona's success, helping the team win La Liga and the Spanish Copa del Rey. Although they lost to Inter Milan in the Champions League semi-finals, Yamal's 18 goals in 55 games demonstrated his value to the team. His talent and consistency have made him a strong contender for the Ballon d'Or award.
Despite being the favorite to win the award, Yamal acknowledges the stiff competition, particularly from PSG's Ousmane Dembele. Spain coach Luis de la Fuente praised Yamal's performance, saying, “Lamine Yamal has made a statement tonight and shown that he should win the Ballon d'Or. He's the best player in the world and, in my opinion, of course, he deserves to win the Ballon d'Or.” With his sights set on the future, Yamal's ambition and talent make him a player to watch in the world of football.
Ballon d'Or Voting Criteria
The Ballon d'Or is voted for by a panel of journalists, one from each of the top 100 countries in the FIFA world rankings. The Ballon d'Or award now focuses on achievements during the last season, rather than a calendar year. This change simplifies comparisons and makes the process more relevant. According to Vincent Garcia, the editor-in-chief of France Football, the criteria for winning the award include:
Individual Performance: Decisive and impressive moments, as well as a player's overall impact during the season.
Team Performances and Achievements: Titles won and trophies achieved with clubs and national teams.
Class and Fair Play: Outstanding sportsmanship and behavior on and off the pitch.
Notable Nominees
Other notable nominees for the 2025 Ballon d'Or include:
Viktor Gyokeres: A talented forward playing for Arsenal.
Erling Haaland: Manchester City's prolific goal-scorer.
Harry Kane: Bayern Munich's experienced striker.
Cole Palmer: Chelsea's skilled midfielder.
Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk: Liverpool's dynamic duo who contributed to the team's Premier League triumph.
Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius Junior: Two of Real Madrid's star players, with Mbappe joining the Spanish giants this season.
Voting Process
The Ballon d'Or is voted for by a panel of 100 journalists, one from each of the top 100 countries in the FIFA world rankings. Each journalist selects their top 10 players from the 30-person shortlist, assigning points based on ranking:
- 1st place: 15 points
- 2nd place: 12 points
- 3rd place: 10 points
- 4th place: 8 points
- 5th place: 7 points
- 6th place: 5 points
- 7th place: 4 points
- 8th place: 3 points
- 9th place: 2 points
- 10th place: 1 point
The player with the most points wins the award. In case of a tie, the player with the most first-place votes is selected as the winner.
The fate is sealed.#ballondor pic.twitter.com/aMvB0jWvf2
— Ballon d'Or (@ballondor) September 21, 2025
Ballon d'Or Women's Category: A Wide-Open Field
The women's Ballon d'Or field is remarkably competitive, with Barcelona and Spain star Aitana Bonmati seeking to add to her impressive collection of awards. Bonmati's exceptional talent and consistent performance earned her the UEFA Women's Euro 2025 Player of the Tournament title. Despite Spain's loss to England in the final, Bonmati's individual accolades and contributions to Barcelona's success make her a strong contender.
England's Nominees: A Collective Effort
The England team that triumphed at the Euros has several notable nominees, including:
Lucy Bronze: A skilled defender who has played for Barcelona and Chelsea
Hannah Hampton: The goalkeeper who made crucial saves in the Euro final, including one from Bonmati's penalty kick
Alessia Russo: A talented forward who scored the equalizing goal in the final
Leah Williamson: The captain of the England team, known for her leadership and defensive prowess
Chloe Kelly: The player who scored the decisive penalty in the Euro final
Bonmati's Chances: A Mix of Triumph and Heartbreak
Bonmati's chances of winning the Ballon d'Or might be influenced by her team's losses in the Champions League final and the Euro final. However, her individual brilliance and awards, including the UEFA Women's Euro 2025 Player of the Tournament, could work in her favor. Her teammate Alexia Putellas, a two-time Ballon d'Or winner, is also in the running, adding to the competitiveness of the field.
No comments:
Leave comment here