Ballon d'Or 2025: the five favourites 🏆

Thursday afternoon, the famous list of the 30 contenders for the Ballon d'Or was formalized. While awaiting the verdict on September 22 at the Théâtre du Châtelet, let's focus on the favorites.

Achraf Hakimi

Undoubtedly the best player in his position this season. Just as impactful offensively, Hakimi has made clear progress defensively. He is one of the main architects of PSG's sweep on the national and continental stage. Is it enough to climb onto the Ballon d'Or podium?

Lamine Yamal

Before the Nations League, Yamal seemed to suggest that the race for the Ballon d'Or was between him and Ousmane Dembélé. The Spanish press rode this statement to launch the "Yamal Balón de Oro" lobbying. At 18, Yamal can already boast of being a serious candidate for the BO, but Barça's elimination in the Champions League semi-final positions him as an outsider. 

Raphinha

A few months before PSG's triumph in the Champions League, Raphinha was cited as the big favorite for the Ballon d'Or. Announced to be leaving last summer after a mixed first season in Barcelona, Raphinha had the best season of his career and is now a cornerstone of the Catalan project. 

Ousmane Dembélé

He is the overwhelming favorite to win this 69th Ballon d'Or! Dembélé has the strongest argument to claim the prize: he has established himself as the best player of the best team in Europe, having won the most prestigious club trophy.

The only downside: the crushing defeat in the Club World Cup final (0-3 against Chelsea). It remains to be seen if the voters will "penalize" this hiccup (in favor of a Barcelona player?).

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇫🇷 here.

📸 Luke Hales - 2025 Getty Images