- The race for the 2025 Ballon d’Or has taken a dramatic turn, with Barcelona’s Lamine Yamal now a leading contender
- But a Barcelona legend doesn’t share the same opinion, leaving out the 18-year-old from his top three shortlist
- The 2025 Ballon d’Or shortlist, released on August 7, features a dazzling mix of world-class talent and emerging stars
Former Barcelona boss Ronald Koeman has named his top three contenders for the 2025 Ballon d’Or but left out teenage sensation Lamine Yamal.
The 18-year-old shone for Barcelona last season, netting 18 goals and delivering 25 assists under Hansi Flick.
Source: Getty Images
His contributions were pivotal as the Catalan giants claimed both the LaLiga title and the Copa del Rey.
These performances have earned him a place in the Ballon d’Or conversation alongside teammates Raphinha and PSG star Ousmane Dembele.
However, Koeman, speaking on the Dutch television programme De Oranjezomer, dismissed Yamal’s chances of making the podium.
“I’d pick at least one Dutchman – either Virgil [van Dijk] or Denzel [Dumfries]. Also… Ousmane Dembele,” he said.
“Maybe someone else from PSG. I mean, they won everything. Vitinha is great… But I also think Pedri is fantastic. Raphinha had a great season as well… There are just too many [good players].”
When asked specifically about Yamal, Koeman was clear:
“He hasn’t won anything,” he explained, implying that despite his talent, the youngster’s achievements fall short of Ballon d’Or-winning standards this year.
Lamine Yamal to win 2025 Ballon d’Or?
According to StatMuse, Yamal completed more dribbles than any other player in Europe’s top five leagues last season, an astounding 145 successful take-ons.
It’s a stat that explains why so many already see him as the frontrunner for the 2025 Ballon d’Or, according to GOAL.
He will be hoping to bring the same magic when Barcelona faces Como in this year’s Joan Gamper Trophy.
Source: Getty Images
The traditional curtain-raiser is played every August, just before the La Liga season begins.
Last year’s edition ended in disappointment for the Catalans with a 3-0 defeat to AS Monaco.
That loss, however, sparked a resurgence under Hansi Flick, as the team went on to claim a historic treble: La Liga, Copa del Rey, and Supercopa de España.
This term, Barcelona head into this fixture in fine form, having scored 15 and conceded just four goals during their preseason tour of Asia.
Standing in their way is Como, managed by former Barcelona and Arsenal midfielder Cesc Fabregas.
2025 Ballon d’Or nominees announced
The 30-man shortlist for the 2025 Ballon d’Or has been unveiled, featuring some of the biggest names in world football vying for the game’s most prestigious individual honour.
The 69th edition of the France Football award will be held at the Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris on September 22, where the men’s winner will be announced alongside other honours, including the Ballon d’Or Féminin, Kopa Trophy, Yashin Trophy, and Gerd Müller Trophy.
For only the fourth time in history, the nominees were selected based on seasonal performances rather than the calendar year, covering the period from August 1, 2024, to July 31, 2025 – a span that also includes Chelsea’s Club World Cup triumph in the United States.
Ballon d’Or battle heats up as Dembele takes the lead
In a separate report, YEN.com.gh noted that the battle for the 2025 Ballon d’Or has intensified with the unveiling of the 30-man shortlist.
Lamine Yamal and PSG’s Ousmane Dembele are among the frontrunners for the prestigious award.
Latest power rankings, however, place Dembele as the clear favourite to clinch the 2025 Ballon d’Or.
Source: YEN.com.gh
