Ballon d’Or 2025: Who Will Be Crowned on Monday Night?
It would be a surprise if it’s not a Paris Saint-Germain player walking up onto the stage to lift the Ballon d’Or on Monday night.
The French giants won their first-ever Champions League title last year and reached the final of this summer’s Club World Cup. Unsurprisingly, nine of Luis Enrique’s players make the 30 man shortlist.
With the Lionel Messi–Cristiano Ronaldo era now behind us, the race for football’s most prestigious individual prize feels more open than ever. Rodri edged out Vinícius Júnior last year, sparking Real Madrid’s fury and a subsequent boycott of the event.
This time, the field is packed with talent.
The Favourites
Ousmane Dembélé heads into the ceremony as the standout contender. The Frenchman enjoyed a sensational campaign, netting 35 goals and providing 16 assists as PSG stormed to both the Champions League and Ligue 1 titles.
“If Ousmane doesn’t win the Ballon d’Or, it’s because the people who voted don’t have the competence,” said PSG sporting director Luis Campos. “If he was called Leo Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo, there would be no discussion.”
The main challenger is Lamine Yamal, Barcelona’s teenage sensation. At just 18, he is tipped to one day become a multiple-time winner of the award. Should he triumph on Monday, he would be the youngest Ballon d’Or winner in history, beating Ronaldo Nazário’s record set at age 21 in 1997. Yamal finished last season with 18 goals and 25 assists as Barcelona clinched La Liga and reached the Champions League semi-finals.
Other Strong Contenders
While less hyped than Dembélé or Yamal, Vitinha was a cornerstone of PSG’s success, later shining at the Club World Cup and helping Portugal win the Nations League.
His compatriot Nuno Mendes also strengthened his claim, being named player of the finals at the Nations League and earning plaudits as arguably the world’s best left-back.
Barcelona’s Raphinha had a career-best season, recording 56 goal involvements, with standout performances against Real Madrid and Bayern Munich.
Others on the radar include Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, Pedri, and Gianluigi Donnarumma, further highlighting the PSG–Barcelona dominance on this year’s shortlist.
Premier League Interest
The Premier League is represented too. Liverpool trio Mohamed Salah, Virgil van Dijk, and Alexis Mac Allister made the cut after guiding the club to the league title. Salah, in particular, impressed with 29 goals and 18 assists, though Liverpool’s early Champions League exit could harm his chances.
The Egyptian has never finished higher than fifth in Ballon d’Or voting — but this year might finally change that.
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💬 Who do you think deserves to win the 2025 Ballon d’Or? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
