Cristiano Ronaldo and Kylian Mbappé have recently been discussing potential candidates for the next Ballon d’Or, but notably, they did not mention Lamine Yamal among their favorites.
After the thrilling conclusion of the 2024–25 season, Ousmane Dembélé and Lamine Yamal have emerged as the top contenders for the 2025 Ballon d’Or.
Dembélé played a pivotal role in leading Paris Saint-Germain to an extraordinary quadruple that included the club’s maiden Champions League title, while the 17-year-old Yamal showcased his remarkable talent with Barcelona, helping the team secure a domestic treble.
Choosing between these two outstanding players for such a prestigious accolade is no easy task for most.
However, for Mbappé, the decision is quite straightforward.“Would I vote for Dembélé [for the 2025 Ballon d’Or]? Absolutely.
It doesn’t require much explanation,” Mbappé stated. “People are discussing Lamine Yamal and Dembélé, but my choice is clear: I’m backing Dembélé.
”Dembélé concluded his best season to date with an impressive tally of 33 goals and 15 assists across 49 matches.
His contributions were vital in PSG’s Champions League campaign, where he made 14 goal contributions, including two assists in the final clash against Inter Milan.
Mbappé knows Dembélé’s capabilities well from their time as teammates at PSG before his transfer to Real Madrid last summer.
Despite playing for different clubs now, they continue to unite on the France national team.
Mbappé has also witnessed Yamal’s impressive form over the past year, facing off against him for both club and country.
The most recent encounter was in the UEFA Nations League semifinals, where Yamal’s two goals propelled Spain to a dramatic 5–4 win over France.
Nevertheless, Mbappé stands firmly behind his compatriot Dembélé, a sentiment echoed by five-time Ballon d’Or winner Ronaldo.
He seemed to indicate a preference for Dembélé as well.
“In my view, the winner should be part of a team that has claimed trophies.
The Ballon d’Or recipient should come from a squad that has won the Champions League,” Ronaldo remarked.
By that criterion, it appears that Ronaldo favors Dembélé for the accolade, especially since Yamal and Barcelona fell short against Inter Milan in the Champions League semifinals.
Ronaldo also expressed that the Ballon d’Or has somewhat “lost its value” in recent times but took a moment to commend Yamal: “Lamine Yamal is excelling and truly leveraging his talent. Let the kid grow.
Don’t overwhelm him or apply too much pressure. He has all the talent he needs.”