Dembele and Yamal Expected to Beat Liverpool’s Salah in 2025 Ballon d’Or Race | OneFootball

Ballon d’Or 2025: Ousmane Dembele Leads the Race but Lamine Yamal and Mohamed Salah Are in Pursuit

The Ballon d’Or has long been football’s most coveted individual honour. For over a decade Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo set the standard, their rivalry shaping the award into a two-man contest. Now that their era has passed, a new generation of stars is making its claim. This year, attention turns towards Paris Saint-Germain’s Ousmane Dembele, Barcelona’s Lamine Yamal and Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah.

Ousmane Dembele pushing towards history

Ousmane Dembele enters the Ballon d’Or ceremony as the overwhelming favourite. The French winger delivered a season of extraordinary consistency, with 35 goals and 16 assists in all competitions. His influence was central to PSG’s success, as the club secured both Ligue 1 and the Champions League.

PSG’s sporting director Luis Campos was emphatic in his assessment: “If Ousmane doesn’t win the Ballon d’Or, it’s because the people who voted don’t have the competence to vote for the Ballon d’Or. If he was called Leo Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo, there would be no discussion.”

The numbers underline his case. Dembele not only produced moments of brilliance, he sustained them across an entire season, often deciding key matches almost single-handedly. It is a campaign that has positioned him as the standout candidate.

Lamine Yamal rising as a generational talent

While Dembele’s experience gives him the edge, 18-year-old Lamine Yamal has emerged as the breakout star of the season. The Barcelona forward contributed 18 goals and 25 assists, helping his club win La Liga and reach the Champions League semi-finals. His creativity and vision marked him out as something rare, a teenager already dictating games at the highest level.

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Should he triumph, Yamal would surpass Ronaldo Nazario’s record as the youngest Ballon d’Or winner. Ronaldo was 21 when he claimed the prize in 1997. That record has stood for nearly three decades, which underlines just how significant Yamal’s candidacy is.

Mohamed Salah keeping Premier League hopes alive

Premier League representation on the shortlist is strong, but it is Mohamed Salah who carries the most realistic chance of challenging Dembele and Yamal. The Egyptian delivered another season of extraordinary output, with 29 goals and 18 assists as Liverpool lifted the Premier League title.

Salah has never finished higher than fifth in Ballon d’Or voting, but his consistency at the top level deserves recognition. What may hinder his chances is Liverpool’s early Champions League exit, which historically has weighed heavily in the voting. Yet his influence in England’s top flight remains undeniable, and his presence ensures the Premier League retains relevance in the discussion.

Other contenders shaping the picture

Beyond the headline names, there are several players who deserve mention. Vitinha was central to PSG’s midfield dominance, winning the Nations League with Portugal and shining at the Club World Cup. Nuno Mendes reinforced his status as the best left-back in Europe, impressing against attackers like Salah and Bukayo Saka. Barcelona’s Raphinha also enjoyed the best season of his career, with decisive performances in El Clásico and against Bayern Munich.

While the shortlist features a wide array of stars, the focus inevitably returns to Dembele, Yamal and Salah. One represents experience reaching its peak, another the emergence of a new phenomenon, and the third a proven Premier League icon still striving for global recognition.