After a standout season with Paris Saint-Germain, Ousmane Dembele is now seen as a strong candidate for the 2025 Ballon d’Or. His contributions were vital in PSG’s successful UEFA Champions League run. Meanwhile, Spanish talent Lamine Yamal has also drawn attention following his impressive performances with Barcelona. In an unexpected move, Rodri mentioned two other players in the running.
Rodri expressed his views on the favorites for the Ballon d’Or, saying, “Out of affection, I would love for Lamine or Pedri to win, but based on sporting achievements, perhaps Ousmane or Vitinha,” at a recent press conference. While he included Yamal as a top pick, his comments on Yamal’s sporting merits stirred some debate.
In the 2024-25 season, Lamine Yamal stood out as one of the top talents globally, scoring 18 goals and providing 25 assists in 55 matches for Barcelona. His impact also shone through on the international stage, where he scored three goals and made one assist for Spain in the Nations League. Although only 18 years old and not a Champions League winner, his exceptional performances have established him among the best.
Rodri also highlighted Pedri and Vitinha as notable contenders for the award. Even though they aren’t known for high goal tallies like forwards, their recent performances have greatly influenced their teams. Notably, Vitinha is a strong contender after winning both the Champions League and Nations League titles last season.
Lamine Yamal, Ousmane Dembele, Pedri and Vitinha.
When will the winner of the 2025 Ballon d’Or be announced?
After an exciting season, there is growing anticipation for the 2025 Ballon d’Or as top players contend for the award. The winner will be announced on Monday, September 22, during a ceremony at the Theatre du Chatelet in Paris, France.
Either Dembele or Lamine could make history by winning the Ballon d’Or
Though several strong candidates exist for the 2025 Ballon d’Or, Ousmane Dembele and Lamine Yamal stand out as the top favorites. Both have a chance to make history. If Dembele wins, he will end a 27-year wait for a French winner, with Zinedine Zidane being the last winner in 1998.
On the other hand, Lamine Yamal could set a remarkable record. If he wins, he will become the youngest Ballon d’Or recipient at just 18 years and 2 months old, surpassing Ronaldo Nazario’s record of 21 years and 3 months.