Football fans worldwide are gearing up for a spectacular evening as the 2025 Ballon d’Or ceremony takes centre stage at the Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris on Monday, September 22.
According to reports, Brazilian legend Ronaldinho is expected to hand over France Football’s most prestigious individual award to this year’s winner. Although organisers are yet to officially confirm the news, excitement continues to build across the football community.
This year’s Ballon d’Or is shaping up to be a thrilling contest between two players following in Ronaldinho’s footsteps, Paris Saint-Germain star Ousmane Dembélé and Barcelona’s teenage sensation Lamine Yamal.
Yamal, 18, has enjoyed a remarkable breakthrough season, spearheading Barcelona to a domestic treble and clinching the LALIGA EA SPORTS Best Under-23 Player award. He netted 18 goals and provided 21 assists, becoming both the youngest scorer in a Clásico and the youngest to reach 100 appearances for the club. His heroics also extended to the international stage, helping Spain capture the European Championship in a record-breaking campaign fueling arguments that his youthful brilliance deserves football’s highest honour.
Dembélé, on the other hand, has experienced a renaissance at PSG under coach Luis Enrique, inspiring the club to an unprecedented treble, including their first-ever UEFA Champions League trophy. The French winger registered 32 goals and eight assists across all competitions, emerging as the statistical favourite for the award.
PSG sporting director Luis Campos openly backed Dembélé, stating: “If his name were Leo Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo, there would be no debate. If he doesn’t win, it reflects poorly on the voters.”
Even Ronaldinho himself has spoken highly of the forward, telling L’Equipe via Paris Fans: “I like Ousmane a lot. He has a touch of Brazilian flair, unpredictable, inventive, and a consistent goal scorer. He is revealing himself in a new role compared to last season at PSG or during his time at Barcelona.”
With Yamal embodying the promise of football’s next generation and Dembélé showcasing peak form and silverware, the 2025 Ballon d’Or race promises to be one of the most fiercely contested in recent memory.
Advertisement
