• Barcelona wonderkid Lamine Yamal notched up 18 goals and provided 25 assists during the 2024/25 season
  • Ousmane Dembele played a pivotal role in Paris Saint-Germain’s groundbreaking quadruple-winning campaign
  • Rodri’s 2024 Ballon d’Or triumph was overshadowed by controversies, especially from Real Madrid who boycotted the ceremony

FC Barcelona’s sensational winger Lamine Yamal has emerged as the leading contender for the 2025 Ballon d’Or, according to a renowned media outlet.

The 18-year-old Spanish youngster and the seasoned French star Ousmane Dembele are considered the leading contenders for this year’s award, yet in these power rankings, the former Borussia Dortmund winger is nowhere near Yamal’s level ahead of the September 22 gala.

Yamal for Ballon d'Or, Yamal's Ballon d'Or chances, Dembele vs. Yamal race, Who are the Ballon d'Or favourites, Latest Ballon d'Or power rankings
Lamine Yamal emerges as a leading contender for the Ballon d’Or 2025. Image credit: Jose Breton/Pics Action/NurPhoto, Mike Pan
Source: Getty Images

Meanwhile, Manchester City’s midfielder Rodri’s injury ruled him out for the majority of last season, meaning the 2024 winner won’t be around to defend his crown.

The previous edition witnessed a razor-thin contest, with the Spanish midfielder just edging past Vinícius Júnior. Cristiano Ronaldo later argued his former club’s talisman should have won, sparking outrage and prompting Real Madrid to snub the Paris ceremony.

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Who will win Ballon d’Or 2025?

According to TNT Sports, Lamine Yamal, who chipped in 18 goals and 25 assists last season, is the hottest favourite to win the 2025 Ballon d’Or as he leads their power rankings, well ahead of Ousmane Dembele.

According to the outlet, despite Yamal enduring a disappointing Nations League campaign and Barcelona falling short in the Champions League, failing to reach the final, the club still secured the La Liga title, lifted the Copa del Rey, and advanced to the Champions League semi-finals, with Yamal playing a central role.

Dembele vs. Yamal Ballon d'Or race, 2025 Ballon d'Or favourites, Who will win 2025 Ballon d'Or, List of 2025 Ballon d'Or nominees
Lamine Yamal (right), Ousmane Dembele (left). Image credit: Han Myung-Gu, Prince Pat
Source: Getty Images

Surprisingly, ex-Dortmund star Dembele, who has recorded 2 goals and 2 assists this season, according to Transfermarkt, is miles off Yamal’s pace in the rankings.

See the full TNT Ballon d’Or 2025 power rankings below.

1. Lamine Yamal – Barcelona

2. Vitinha – Paris Saint-Germain

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3. Cole Palmer – Chelsea

4. Ousmane Dembele – Paris Saint-Germain

5. Raphinha – Barcelona

6. Nuno Mendes – Paris Saint-Germain

7. Achraf Hakimi – Paris Saint-Germain

8. Mohamed Salah – Liverpool

9. Gianluigi Donnarumma – Paris Saint-Germain

10. Kylian Mbappe – Real Madrid

Ballon d’Or 2025 nominees

The nominees for the 2025 Ballon d’Or include Gianluigi Donnarumma, Désiré Doué, Achraf Hakimi, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, Nuno Mendes, João Neves, Fabián Ruiz, Vitinha, Ousmane Dembele, Jude Bellingham, Kylian Mbappé, Vinícius Júnior, and Robert Lewandowski.

Others are Pedri, Raphinha, Lamine Yamal, Viktor Gyökeres, Declan Rice, Cole Palmer, Alexis Mac Allister, Virgil van Dijk, Mohamed Salah, Florian Wirtz, Harry Kane, Michael Olise, Denzel Dumfries, Lautaro Martínez, Serhou Guirassy, Scott McTominay, and Erling Haaland.

Why Dembele deserves Ballon d’Or 2025

YEN.com.gh earlier featured three reasons Ousmane Dembele would be a worthy winner of the 2025 Ballon d’Or followin the shorlist announcement last Thursday.

The former Borussia Dortmund and FC Barcelona winger had an excellent 2024/25 season with Paris Saint-Germain, winning four trophies.

Source: YEN.com.gh





Source: Yen.com.gh

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