Ballon d’Or 2025: Can Ousmane Dembélé Outshine La Liga’s Best for Football’s Top Honour?

The race for the Ballon d’Or 2025 is officially wide open — and this year, it’s a battle defined by elite performances, silverware, and surprise breakthroughs. With Paris Saint-Germain winning both the UEFA Champions League and Ligue 1, and Barcelona claiming La Liga, the field is stacked with top-tier talent.

At the forefront is Ousmane Dembélé, whose electric form for PSG has turned heads around the globe. From match-winning assists to vital goals in the Champions League knockout rounds, Dembélé has been the spark behind PSG’s historic double. Though the French side narrowly missed out on the Club World Cup, losing to Chelsea in the final held in the United States, Dembélé’s consistent brilliance has made him the frontrunner for the 2025 Ballon d’Or.

La Liga’s Finest: Lamine Yamal and Raphinha

From La Liga, Lamine Yamal and Raphinha have emerged as Barcelona’s leading Ballon d’Or candidates. Yamal, the teenage sensation, dazzled fans with maturity well beyond his years, becoming a pivotal figure in Barça’s league-winning campaign. Raphinha, on the other hand, contributed decisively in the final stretch of the season, offering goals and flair on the right wing.

While Real Madrid showed promise throughout the season, their lack of trophies may hurt their Ballon d’Or chances. Kylian Mbappé, now leading the line at Madrid, had a strong individual campaign but fell short in major silverware. His performances remain world-class, but without titles, his Ballon d’Or ambitions are on thin ice.

Who Will Win the Ballon d’Or 2025?

All eyes are on Ousmane Dembélé. With a Champions League title, domestic success, and an outstanding personal season, he checks every box for football’s most coveted award. If voters reward both performance and silverware, Dembélé stands tall above the rest.

Still, the rise of Lamine Yamal and the consistency of Raphinha keep the conversation alive. Should narrative and youth development factor into the vote, Barcelona’s young star may surprise us all.

Final Thoughts

The Ballon d’Or 2025 is shaping up to be one of the most exciting in years. Whether it’s the rebirth of Ousmane Dembélé or the rise of Barcelona’s next generation, this year’s winner will be a true ambassador of footballing excellence. other nominees include the following:

• Jude Bellingham
• Nuno Mendes
• Robert Lewandowski
• Joao Neves
• Desire Doue
• Alexis Mac Allister
• Mo Salah
• Erling Haaland
• Lauturo Martinez
• Denzel Dumfries
• Victor Gyokeres
• Pedri
• Michael Olise
• Harry Kane
• Virgil Van Dijk
• Vitinha
• Vini Jr
• Floran Wirtz
• Cole Palmer
• Declan Rice
• Fabian Ruiz
• Khivcha Kvaratskhelia
• Scott McTominay
• Gianluigi Donnaruma