Paris Saint-Germain star Ousmane Dembele is the favorite to claim the Ballon d’Or on Monday, edging out Barcelona sensation Lamine Yamal. The awards ceremony in Paris will also see Aitana Bonmati compete for a third consecutive women’s Ballon d’Or, with her chances closely contested.
Dembele Leads PSG’s Ballon d’Or Contenders
After a remarkable season for PSG, Dembele has emerged as the frontrunner for football’s most prestigious individual prize. The 28-year-old winger, now operating as a center-forward, scored 35 goals, filling the void left by Kylian Mbappe and helping PSG achieve a domestic treble.
Nine PSG players from last season’s Champions League-winning squad are among the 30 nominees, including Gianluigi Donnarumma, Achraf Hakimi, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, Nuno Mendes, Joao Neves, Fabian Ruiz, Vitinha, and Desire Doue. Dembele’s standout contribution has made him the top pick from the French club.
Yamal Emerges as Barcelona’s Young Star
At just 18, Lamine Yamal has impressed at Barcelona and on the international stage with Spain. He won the Kopa Trophy last year as the best player under 21 and recorded 18 goals in 55 appearances last season, helping Barcelona secure La Liga and the Copa del Rey titles.
Despite his youth, Yamal is widely regarded as Messi’s successor, and his emergence has added excitement to the Ballon d’Or race. He remains focused on long-term success, stating he dreams of winning “lots” of Ballon d’Or awards, not just one.
Other Key Ballon d’Or Nominees
The men’s shortlist also includes Erling Haaland, Harry Kane, Cole Palmer, Mohamed Salah, Virgil van Dijk, Viktor Gyokeres, Mbappe, and Vinicius Junior. Voted on by journalists from the top 100 FIFA-ranked countries, the award now reflects achievements from the previous season rather than a calendar year.
In the women’s category, Aitana Bonmati aims for her third straight win, with Barcelona teammate Alexia Putellas also nominated. England stars such as Lucy Bronze, Leah Williamson, Hannah Hampton, Alessio Russo, and Chloe Kelly make the field highly competitive, with no clear standout from the Euros-winning side.
Conclusion and Ballon d’Or Ceremony
The Ballon d’Or 2025 ceremony promises to be a landmark event in Paris, highlighting the best of men’s and women’s football. Fans and experts eagerly await the announcement to see if Dembele can cement his status among the world’s elite and whether Bonmati will achieve a historic third consecutive women’s prize.
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