2025 Ballon d’Or Prediction thread

[promise444c5]

Now I don't understand what we're talking about if you agree that he's outside the top 10 (at the moment)? I don't want someone to get an award (which assumes that the player is unconditionally dominant) for "he's only 17!" 
And yes, Portugal saved us from the plague. Imagine the PR we would have faced if Spain had won the Nations League. By the way, don't you think that focusing on Yamal alone is disrespectful to the other Spanish players? I think it's hard to argue that Spain would be the favorite of any tournament now even without him.

Based on what span, all-time or just the current season, two seasons?? Which one … Btw he’s still young so judging with an all-time stats will definitely put him out of the list NMW because  he had just few games played already compared to all other contenders on the list, reason for my “partial agreement “ .
Well other Spanish players did played well too but considering the accomplishment Lamine holds , he stands out and for sure he didn’t make the award ranking by mistake.. so yeah whoDYT the focus is going to be on  

[BIT-BENDER]

[
Based on what span, all-time or just the current season, two seasons?? Which one … Btw he’s still young so judging with an all-time stats will definitely put him out of the list NMW because  he had just few games played already compared to all other contenders on the list, reason for my “partial agreement “ .
Well other Spanish players did played well too but considering the accomplishment Lamine holds , he stands out and for sure he didn’t make the award ranking by mistake.. so yeah whoDYT the focus is going to be on  

It's a fact Lamine Yamal has been the stand out star in the Spanish national team and it is by a good distance. Lamine Yamal has been influential for Barcelona this season but Raphina and Pedri both can also calm king but In the Spanish national team it's been Lamine Yamal all the way.
Well it is to his credit that he is at the center of discussion of anything good on world football right now and I don't think there has ever been anyone like him.

[KTChampions]

~
I don't remember who said it, but the idea was this: if you show a horse's ass on TV 24/7, it will become the most popular. The same with Yamal.
Any false narrative can be planted in the mind of the average person and they will at least think "but there is some truth in this horse's ass."  

By the way, the last example that clearly underlines this is that UEFA recognized Yamal's goal as the best goal of the Nations League tournament  
The funniest thing is not that there are many better goals, but that Concesao's goal was scored in the same style only 10 times better. But the prize went to Yamal's goal. I swear Yamal is Messi-2 and the horse's ass that will torment us by PR for the next few years.

[uchegod-21]

~
I don't remember who said it, but the idea was this: if you show a horse's ass on TV 24/7, it will become the most popular. The same with Yamal.
Any false narrative can be planted in the mind of the average person and they will at least think "but there is some truth in this horse's ass."  

By the way, the last example that clearly underlines this is that UEFA recognized Yamal's goal as the best goal of the Nations League tournament  
The funniest thing is not that there are many better goals, but that Concesao's goal was scored in the same style only 10 times better. But the prize went to Yamal's goal. I swear Yamal is Messi-2 and the horse's ass that will torment us by PR for the next few years.

Sometimes, when they want to deny you of a better award, they'll give you a lesser one to appease you or they'll create an unnecessary one to accommodate you. We have seen it many times when FIFA used this strategy to rig for Messi always.

[Josefjix]

Why do you turn the list upside down OP, the reverse is pretty much better.

I have mentioned in a comment somewhere on the forum before, that Ballon d'Or is been awarded to the champions league winner, and the same time to a player that has both won world cup and champions league.

Dembele fits in the criteria I just listed and it's going to be shady if the title is not given to Dembele, or if Ballon d'Or policy of rewarding had change to what I know earlier on.

Yamal is way too inexperienced to lift the award this moment, be still has more work to do in his football career to be more strongly eligible.

[katanic97]

How do you comment on Cristiano Ronaldo's statement about the Ballon dor? He said that the award should go to a player who won the Champions League, and that the Ballon dor? has lost its value. In my opinion, he's right i think Dembele deserved it, but we'll see soon. Yamal is indeed a great player and has shown a lot, but he's still very young and his time is yet to come.

I did not like the idea that if Yamal deserve the Ballon d'Or, he should be denied it because he is still young and has the chances of winning it even more than once in the future. That is a faulty logic. No one actually knows tomorrow and you never can tell who will reign in the next season. If we were told that till now mbappé will not win the Ballon d'Or, majority of us will not believe but now it is increasingly difficult for him to do. If Yamal deserves it, give it to him.

Mbappe start in Madrid wasn't that ideal. He struggled with injuries and missed several matches for the French national team, amid criticism for his performances that fell short of expectations. However, his transformation began in late 2024, when he began to impress Ancelotti, and began his journey to shine in the new year. Mbappe excelled by scoring in all the finals he participated in this season with Real Madrid, including the European Super Cup, the Spanish Super Cup, the Intercontinental Cup, and the Copa del Rey, confirming his status as the team's top scorer this season. I think he is the candidate with most chance to win without to forget that the Trophy is based on many other factors not only the player performance.

Mbappe had to adapt it's true that he didn’t settle in right away, but as you said, by the end of 2024 he really started playing at his best. He adjusted very well to the striker position, since he mostly played as a winger at PSG.As for the award, it’s tough Dembele deserves it by all standards. He contributed the most throughout the season and also scored the most goals in the league.We’ll see what happens in the end, of course, Mbappe also deserves the award.

[KTChampions]

By the way, the last example that clearly underlines this is that UEFA recognized Yamal's goal as the best goal of the Nations League tournament  
The funniest thing is not that there are many better goals, but that Concesao's goal was scored in the same style only 10 times better. But the prize went to Yamal's goal. I swear Yamal is Messi-2 and the horse's ass that will torment us by PR for the next few years.

Sometimes, when they want to deny you of a better award, they'll give you a lesser one to appease you or they'll create an unnecessary one to accommodate you. We have seen it many times when FIFA used this strategy to rig for Messi always.

The Club World Cup is going on now and Inter Miami is playing there  FIFA directly appointed this club as a participant from the USA, all in favor of Messi. Very shameful, however, as always. Unfortunately, it is already clear that most likely in the future we will have a similar story with Yamal. To overtake it in the race, you will literally have to make a treble every season + win something with the national team.

[BIT-BENDER]

The Club World Cup is going on now and Inter Miami is playing there  FIFA directly appointed this club as a participant from the USA, all in favor of Messi. Very shameful, however, as always. Unfortunately, it is already clear that most likely in the future we will have a similar story with Yamal. To overtake it in the race, you will literally have to make a treble every season + win something with the national team.

I can bet that you are a Madrid fan or you have something against Barcelona, let's assume you have a point for debate with the inclusion of Inter Miami but bringing Yamal into it just shows you are only saying this because of your sentiment against Barcelona.
Then I hope in your spare time you ask yourself how does a Barcelona team that is currently in financial problems be able to influence FIFA decision? Or what does FIFA gain from Messi? You don't just bring up an opinion without asking what the reason can be.

[Mame89]

I agree, there is a balance to it. Sure, if a player won UCL, and he provided a lot, then he should win, but not every year the winner team has a player that provided a lot. I think it was Ribery or Robben or whoever, talked about "oh so UCL winner should get the ballon d'or" for a season when they lost, and Ronaldo won, but when you compare the stats, it's obvious.

There is some debate about who really deserves this. And Yamal's name is always glorified because he is one of the players who is becoming a star.

However, for this season, let's look at the comparison below:

Source: Ballon d’Or 2025

Moreover, although not the winner, Dembele also reached 3rd place with France during the UEFA Nation League.

With the series of successes above, along with the number of goals, assists, and also his involvement, then in my opinion, Dembele deserves this.

I also think Dembele deserves to win the Ballon D'or this year, because he deserves to win it considering his achievements this season. But the problem is that most voters use their personal opinions, so sometimes it always becomes a controversy when becoming the winner of the Ballon d'or.

I hope that this year's Ballon d'or voting will be more open and transparent, the 2025 Ballon d'or candidates are indeed super luxurious players, so the rules and provisions that must be adhered to by the jury in selecting and determining the top five rankings in their choices. They must really judge from individual and collective performances (winners) throughout the year. Player class (talent and fair play) and overall assessment of the player's career throughout the season. So that it will produce a fair Ballon d'or winner that can be accepted by everyone.

[Baki202]

It's a fact Lamine Yamal has been the stand out star in the Spanish national team and it is by a good distance. Lamine Yamal has been influential for Barcelona this season but Raphina and Pedri both can also calm king but In the Spanish national team it's been Lamine Yamal all the way.
Well it is to his credit that he is at the center of discussion of anything good on world football right now and I don't think there has ever been anyone like him.

Yamal is an outstanding player, but I think it is too early because it is not as if he has more goals, but to some extent, he made a huge contribution when it comes to La Liga. And I think Barcelona is lucky to have him, and Barcelona, and even aside from being one of the youngest players, his contribution is making him of the most outstanding players in La Liga, and I don't think anyone his age has been nominated before, so it's a way forward for him.

There are are other contenders like Mbappe and even Salah, and I know that there is no way that Yamal will win because the people is in competition with for sure have the upper hand on him, and I have a feeling for mbappe or even salah because at least Liverpool won the Premier League, and it might not be it, but at the same time, it might help, so there is a lot of consideration to be done before they conclude.

[katanic97]

It's a fact Lamine Yamal has been the stand out star in the Spanish national team and it is by a good distance. Lamine Yamal has been influential for Barcelona this season but Raphina and Pedri both can also calm king but In the Spanish national team it's been Lamine Yamal all the way.
Well it is to his credit that he is at the center of discussion of anything good on world football right now and I don't think there has ever been anyone like him.

Yamal is an outstanding player, but I think it is too early because it is not as if he has more goals, but to some extent, he made a huge contribution when it comes to La Liga. And I think Barcelona is lucky to have him, and Barcelona, and even aside from being one of the youngest players, his contribution is making him of the most outstanding players in La Liga, and I don't think anyone his age has been nominated before, so it's a way forward for him.

There are are other contenders like Mbappe and even Salah, and I know that there is no way that Yamal will win because the people is in competition with for sure have the upper hand on him, and I have a feeling for mbappe or even salah because at least Liverpool won the Premier League, and it might not be it, but at the same time, it might help, so there is a lot of consideration to be done before they conclude.

We can speculate a lot, but when we look at it realistically, it has to be Dembele. We're not denying the fact that Yamal, Mo Salah, and Mbappe are excellent players, but Dembele truly deserves to win in every aspect, because he has won everything this season.

[Antotena]

Mbappe had to adapt it's true that he didn’t settle in right away, but as you said, by the end of 2024 he really started playing at his best. He adjusted very well to the striker position, since he mostly played as a winger at PSG.As for the award, it’s tough Dembele deserves it by all standards. He contributed the most throughout the season and also scored the most goals in the league.We’ll see what happens in the end, of course, Mbappe also deserves the award.

Do you want to know if a player is that great, the ability to play any position whether is left, right or center as long as the main position is not twisted. Mbape didn't do that greatly in the beginning of b the e season, cost the team so much that they didn't pick up on time when other teams were already making their points securing their place in the table, it's later that things start getting better but never change anything for the team during the struggle of the team.

Another thing we should also look at is new club, no way it's going to be fair to raise that Balon D'or before other players that has been the main face of the club. Vinicious deserved it last season but they never did and all of sudden because it's Mbape, they can give him. If he is probably still in PSG, they won the Champions League this season, they might consider giving him but this season, they will pass because no politics in Football will make him win this one.

[KingsDen]

The Club World Cup is going on now and Inter Miami is playing there  FIFA directly appointed this club as a participant from the USA, all in favor of Messi. Very shameful, however, as always. Unfortunately, it is already clear that most likely in the future we will have a similar story with Yamal. To overtake it in the race, you will literally have to make a treble every season + win something with the national team.

I can bet that you are a Madrid fan or you have something against Barcelona, let's assume you have a point for debate with the inclusion of Inter Miami but bringing Yamal into it just shows you are only saying this because of your sentiment against Barcelona.
Then I hope in your spare time you ask yourself how does a Barcelona team that is currently in financial problems be able to influence FIFA decision? Or what does FIFA gain from Messi? You don't just bring up an opinion without asking what the reason can be.

I remember growing up in football and I used to hear something like "FIFA child". What that phrase means is that, that particular player that is referred to as FIFA's child would always be protected by the referees and the FIFA will find a way to fix him in in anything that is happening. That particular footballer was Messi.
We saw how FIFA made many things to go the way of Messi. If not that Ronaldo was extraordinary hardworking, Messi would have dominated the football universe with the help of FIFA.

What KTChampions meant is that; he is presuming that Yamal will take the place of Messi and becomes the current "FIFA Child"

[Dump3er]

By the way, the last example that clearly underlines this is that UEFA recognized Yamal's goal as the best goal of the Nations League tournament  
The funniest thing is not that there are many better goals, but that Concesao's goal was scored in the same style only 10 times better. But the prize went to Yamal's goal. I swear Yamal is Messi-2 and the horse's ass that will torment us by PR for the next few years.

Sometimes, when they want to deny you of a better award, they'll give you a lesser one to appease you or they'll create an unnecessary one to accommodate you. We have seen it many times when FIFA used this strategy to rig for Messi always.

The Club World Cup is going on now and Inter Miami is playing there  FIFA directly appointed this club as a participant from the USA, all in favor of Messi. Very shameful, however, as always. Unfortunately, it is already clear that most likely in the future we will have a similar story with Yamal. To overtake it in the race, you will literally have to make a treble every season + win something with the national team.

This is too trivial. I agree that the spot given to Inter Miami was not based on due process that the FIFA would usually apply. In every sport there are players that have a certain mojo or impact on attracting the audience. In tennis those players have been Federer, Nadal and Djokovic for a long time and if anyone of these had an injury and then got a wild card for a big tournament, nobody would ever complain because a unilateral decision like that has an upside for the sport as a whole. In football this is the same for players like Ronaldo and Messi. There is a difference in team sports and solo sports, but Messi is a name that nobody wants to miss at tournaments, not yet.

[katanic97]

Mbappe had to adapt it's true that he didn’t settle in right away, but as you said, by the end of 2024 he really started playing at his best. He adjusted very well to the striker position, since he mostly played as a winger at PSG.As for the award, it’s tough Dembele deserves it by all standards. He contributed the most throughout the season and also scored the most goals in the league.We’ll see what happens in the end, of course, Mbappe also deserves the award.

Do you want to know if a player is that great, the ability to play any position whether is left, right or center as long as the main position is not twisted. Mbape didn't do that greatly in the beginning of b the e season, cost the team so much that they didn't pick up on time when other teams were already making their points securing their place in the table, it's later that things start getting better but never change anything for the team during the struggle of the team.

Another thing we should also look at is new club, no way it's going to be fair to raise that Balon D'or before other players that has been the main face of the club. Vinicious deserved it last season but they never did and all of sudden because it's Mbape, they can give him. If he is probably still in PSG, they won the Champions League this season, they might consider giving him but this season, they will pass because no politics in Football will make him win this one.

Mbappe had to adapt  it’s a process. The fans weren’t satisfied, but he couldn’t show his best right away. As the matches went on, he started getting better and better. I believe his time for the ballon dor will come. In my opinion, he’s an excellent player who still has a lot to show. As long as he stays injury free and keeps playing at the same level, he’ll be fine. If he had stayed at PSG, he would’ve definitely been the main candidate for the ballon dor. But in this case, it’s Dembele who definitely deserves it.

[KTChampions]

The Club World Cup is going on now and Inter Miami is playing there  FIFA directly appointed this club as a participant from the USA, all in favor of Messi. Very shameful, however, as always. Unfortunately, it is already clear that most likely in the future we will have a similar story with Yamal. To overtake it in the race, you will literally have to make a treble every season + win something with the national team.

I can bet that you are a Madrid fan or you have something against Barcelona, let's assume you have a point for debate with the inclusion of Inter Miami but bringing Yamal into it just shows you are only saying this because of your sentiment against Barcelona.
Then I hope in your spare time you ask yourself how does a Barcelona team that is currently in financial problems be able to influence FIFA decision? Or what does FIFA gain from Messi? You don't just bring up an opinion without asking what the reason can be.

Hello, how are things on the moon? You must be well informed since you have been away from earth for a long time 
Take the time to google how every fucking FIFA official was accused of corruption, how football is connected to politics (an even dirtier business) and better yet, understand the principle: where officials manage the fruits of someone else's labor, there can't be no corruption.
If you, idiot, believe that Russia and Qatar got their World Cup without corruption, we have nothing to talk about (these are just the most striking examples). If you believe that "there is definitely corruption here, but otherwise everything is fair", the same thing.

[Plaguedeath]

Bump.

With the lost in Club World Cup, it makes a slight drop on Dembele, but overall, Dembele has huge chance to win compared to other candidates. I think it's already clear Dembele will win, there's no more big thing can be achieved by Jamine Jamal in the next months.

This kid, Jamal, knowing he wouldn't win Ballon d'Or, hence he create a private party for his birthday just to make him happy for a while.

[boltz]

Bump.

With the lost in Club World Cup, it makes a slight drop on Dembele, but overall, Dembele has huge chance to win compared to other candidates. I think it's already clear Dembele will win, there's no more big thing can be achieved by Jamine Jamal in the next months.

This kid, Jamal, knowing he wouldn't win Ballon d'Or, hence he create a private party for his birthday just to make him happy for a while.

Yea but that slight drop won't change anything as Dembele is already the winner and almost nothing can change that. However , is the Ballon d'or still relevant in 2025 ? I would say it's not so relevant anymore because last winners didn't deserve it and to be honest neither does Dembele but this is just my opinion.

Well...Yamal is still very young and has plenty of time to conquer this trophy.

[KTChampions]

Bump.

With the lost in Club World Cup, it makes a slight drop on Dembele, but overall, Dembele has huge chance to win compared to other candidates. I think it's already clear Dembele will win, there's no more big thing can be achieved by Jamine Jamal in the next months.

This kid, Jamal, knowing he wouldn't win Ballon d'Or, hence he create a private party for his birthday just to make him happy for a while.

I would say that this is a minor fluctuation and not a drop in Dembele's chances. I don't know what the bookmakers' odds are for this event, but whatever they are, a bet on him is easy money. The only thing that could prevent him from winning is some kind of sex scandal or other criminal case.
The hype about Yamal seems to have died down, even news about his birthday comes with comments like "he's the youngest seventeen-year-old player who turned 18!" 

[Joy_learns_crypto]

I was in an argument with someone about why Ousman Dembele should be go home with the Ballon d’Or and he made a great point that in most PSG games Ousman wasn’t the man of the match, absolutely he improved in his goals in 2025 but in overall contributions to the PSG team there were players better than him.
Ballon d’Or is not an award exclusive for the highest goal scorer but for the best player of the year.
I believe my stands has now shifted away from Dembele for the right reasons.
The Ballon d’Or is very open and base on performance Hakimi, Vitinha, Kvara contributed in games more than Dembele.