Ousmane Dembélé is being tipped as the frontrunner for the 2025 Ballon d’Or, with the Paris Saint-Germain forward expected to edge Barcelona’s 18-year-old sensation Lamine Yamal.
Dembélé enjoyed a remarkable season, stepping into Kylian Mbappé’s shoes and firing 35 goals as PSG completed a domestic treble, lifted their first-ever Champions League with a 5–0 demolition of Inter Milan, and reached the Club World Cup final. His transformation from winger to prolific centre-forward has put him in pole position for football’s most prestigious individual award.
Yamal, meanwhile, had a breakout campaign at Barcelona, scoring 18 goals in 55 games, helping them win La Liga and the Copa del Rey, while also shining for Spain at the Euros. He already won the Kopa Trophy last year as the best U21 player and is widely viewed as Messi’s heir at Camp Nou.
On the women’s side, Aitana Bonmatí is chasing a third straight Ballon d’Or. The Barcelona and Spain star was named player of the tournament at Euro 2025, though her side lost to England in the final. With no clear standout from the Lionesses, Bonmatí and teammate Alexia Putellas may benefit from voters’ split loyalties.
The Ballon d’Or gala takes place Monday night at the Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris, where football’s elite will gather to crown the men’s and women’s winners.
