The Ballon d'Or is an annual award presented by France Football to recognize the best football player of the season. The winner is chosen by a panel of 100 journalists from the top 100 FIFA-ranked nations, who consider individual performance, team achievements, and fair play. The Ballon d'Or 2025 ceremony is scheduled to take place on September 22 in Paris.

As the 2025 Ballon d'Or approaches, two names have emerged as strong contenders: Ousmane Dembélé and Lamine Yamal.

Ousmane Dembélé

Ousmane Dembélé, a French forward for Paris Saint-Germain (PSG), is currently considered a frontrunner for the 2025 Ballon d'Or. In the 2024-25 season, Dembélé experienced a career resurgence, scoring 33 goals and providing 15 assists in 49 appearances across all competitions. He played a crucial role in PSG's Champions League triumph, delivering consistently in the knockout stages and the final. Dembélé's contributions helped PSG secure a continental treble, winning the Ligue 1 title, the French Cup, and the Champions League. His exceptional performance led to him being named both the UEFA Champions League Player of the Season and the Ligue 1 Player of the Year.

Dembélé's strengths include his productivity, flair, and significant impact on his team's success. After years of inconsistent form and injury setbacks, he found his stride in the 2024-25 season, becoming a key player for PSG.

Lamine Yamal

Lamine Yamal, a Spanish winger for Barcelona, has also emerged as a strong contender for the 2025 Ballon d'Or. At just 18 years old, Yamal has taken European football by storm. He was integral to Barcelona's domestic treble win of the La Liga title, the Copa del Rey, and the Supercopa de España.

Yamal is known for his flair, chance creation, and long-distance goals. In the 2024-25 season, he scored 9 goals and provided 13 assists in 35 La Liga appearances. Yamal also played a pivotal role in Barcelona's 4-3 comeback victory against Real Madrid, scoring a crucial goal. At the end of Euro 2024, Yamal was named Young Player of the Tournament, also becoming the youngest player to win the Euros.

Yamal's strengths include his young age, consistent performance, and influence on a major European club. He is considered one of the best young talents in the world and is expected to improve even further.

Ballon d'Or Criteria

The Ballon d'Or is awarded based on three main criteria: * Individual performances, decisive impact, and impressive character * Team achievements and collective success * Sportsmanship and the player's class, both on and off the pitch

The voting process involves journalists from the top 100 FIFA-ranked nations, who select their top players based on the defined criteria. The player with the most points wins the Ballon d'Or.

Prediction

While both Dembélé and Yamal have strong cases for winning the 2025 Ballon d'Or, Dembélé seems to have an edge due to his Champions League triumph and overall outstanding attacking numbers. However, Yamal's youth, consistency, and significant role in Barcelona's success make him a compelling alternative. Ultimately, the winner will be determined by the voters' interpretation of the criteria and their assessment of the players' performances throughout the season.