Quick Read
- The Ballon d’Or 2025 ceremony will take place on September 22 in Paris.
- Ousmane Dembélé is the frontrunner with an 80% chance of winning, thanks to his role in PSG’s treble-winning season.
- Teenage sensation Lamine Yamal is a strong contender after a breakout year with Barcelona.
- Mohamed Salah, Kylian Mbappé, and Jude Bellingham remain consistent performers in the race.
- Generation Z stars like Haaland and Vinícius Júnior highlight the future of football.
The anticipation surrounding the Ballon d’Or 2025 is reaching fever pitch, with the ceremony set to take place on September 22 in Paris. Football fans and analysts alike are engrossed in debates over who will claim the coveted title of the world’s best footballer. This year’s race is as competitive as ever, featuring a mix of seasoned veterans and rising stars who have dazzled on the global stage.
The Heavy Favorites: Dembele Leads the Pack
One of the standout names for this year’s Ballon d’Or is Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) winger Ousmane Dembélé. According to Pulse Ghana, Dembélé has an 80% chance of taking home the award, thanks to his phenomenal contributions to PSG’s historic treble-winning season. The Frenchman played a pivotal role in securing the Champions League, Ligue 1, and the French Cup for his club, cementing his status as one of the best in the world.
Alongside Dembélé, other PSG stars like Achraf Hakimi and Vitinha have also made the shortlist, showcasing the club’s dominance in the 2024/25 season. Hakimi, in particular, was instrumental in both PSG’s success and Morocco’s impressive run to the World Cup semi-finals in 2022, further solidifying his reputation as the best right-back in world football today.
The Rising Prodigy: Lamine Yamal’s Breakout Year
Barcelona’s teenage sensation Lamine Yamal has emerged as a strong contender for the Ballon d’Or, despite being only 18 years old. His breakout performances have not only elevated Barcelona’s campaign but also earned him a spot among the world’s elite players. According to Planet Football, Yamal is already being compared to legends like Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo for his potential to dominate the next generation of football.
While Yamal is seen as the closest competitor to Dembélé, his chances of winning the Ballon d’Or are estimated at 25%. Still, his rapid rise has captured the imagination of fans and pundits, and many believe that it’s only a matter of time before he claims the golden ball.
Veterans and Consistent Performers: Salah and Others
Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah continues to be a perennial contender for the Ballon d’Or. The Egyptian forward has been in scintillating form, leading Liverpool to another Premier League title. With a 6% chance of winning, according to bookmakers cited by Pulse Ghana, Salah remains one of the most consistent performers in world football.
Other notable names include Real Madrid’s Jude Bellingham, who has already achieved remarkable success at just 22 years old, and Kylian Mbappé, who continues to be a dominant force at Real Madrid. Mbappé’s incredible goal-scoring ability and high-profile transfer to Madrid have kept him in the conversation, even if his current form isn’t at its peak.
The Generation Z XI: Future Stars to Watch
Beyond the immediate Ballon d’Or race, the discussion around the best players of Generation Z (those born between 1997 and 2010) has also taken center stage. According to Planet Football, this emerging generation boasts a wealth of talent, including Erling Haaland, Vinícius Júnior, and Gianluigi Donnarumma.
Haaland, the Norwegian goal machine, has already achieved legendary status with his record-breaking 52-goal season for Manchester City. Meanwhile, Vinícius Júnior, despite facing stiff competition from younger players like Yamal, remains one of the most exciting talents of his generation. Goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma, who was instrumental in PSG’s treble-winning season, rounds out this list of young stars who are shaping the future of football.
How the Ballon d’Or Winner is Decided
The Ballon d’Or is awarded based on votes from a panel of journalists, coaches, and national team captains, who consider players’ performances across domestic leagues, international tournaments, and individual accolades. This year, the spotlight is on performances in the 2024/25 season, including major tournaments like the FIFA Club World Cup.
While Dembélé appears to be the frontrunner, the unpredictable nature of the voting process means that surprises cannot be ruled out. Fans will have to wait until September 22 to see who will be crowned the best footballer in the world.
The Ballon d’Or 2025 is shaping up to be one of the most exciting editions in recent memory, with a mix of established stars and young prodigies vying for football’s highest honor. As the countdown to the ceremony continues, the world watches with bated breath to see who will etch their name into the history books.