It's official, the 2025 Golden Ball race is launched! This Thursday, the list of 30 nominees was unveiled, after the Kopa, Yachine and Cruyff trophies. Two names have been standing for several weeks: Ousmane Dembélé, author of a remarkable season with Paris Saint-Germain, and Lamine Yamal, the young nugget of FC Barcelona.
Repositioned in a center-forward, Dembélé was a key actor in the historical success of PSG. With 35 goals and 16 assists in 53 matches, he led Paris to the coronation in the Champions League as well as a national hat -trick (Ligue 1, Coupe de France, Champions Trophy). A record that makes him a serious candidate for the prestigious trophy.
On the Barça side, Lamine Yamal, at only 18, shone in Liga, King's Cup and Spanish Super Cup. Semi-finalist of the Champions League and finalist of the League of Nations with Spain, he totaled 18 goals and 25 assists in 55 matches. A season that does not go unnoticed.
Response on September 22
PSG dominates the list with a record of nine nominated players, including Achraf Hakimi, Vitinha, Nuno Mendes, Gianluigi Donnarumma, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Fabian Ruiz.
Désiré Doué and Joao Neves, winners of the Kopa trophyare also among the nominees. On the French side, Kylian Mbappé (Real Madrid) and Michael Olise (Bayern Munich) complete the tricolor delegation.
The complete list of 30 finalists, unveiled by France Football on the team, also includes figures established like Jude Bellingham, Harry Kane, Mohamed Salah, Erling Haaland or Vinicius Junior. The winner of the Ballon d'Or 2025 will be known on September 22.
