Dembele, Bonmati Lead Ballon d’Or Race Ahead of Paris Ceremony

Posted : 22 September 2025

Paris Saint-Germain star Ousmane Dembele is the frontrunner to claim the men’s Ballon d’Or on Monday, edging ahead of Barcelona prodigy Lamine Yamal. In the women’s category, Spain’s Aitana Bonmati is on course to secure her third consecutive crown.

The glittering ceremony will take place at the Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris, where the football world will discover the latest winners of the sport’s most prestigious individual award. Once the domain of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo who shared 13 titles between 2008 and 2023 the Ballon d’Or has entered a new era. Last year’s men’s winner, Manchester City’s Rodri, is absent from contention after an injury-disrupted season.

Dembele, 28, is widely seen as the favourite following a sensational campaign in which he stepped into the void left by Kylian Mbappé’s departure. The forward scored 35 goals, inspiring PSG to a domestic treble and their first-ever Champions League triumph, capped by a 5-0 demolition of Inter Milan. His heroics also carried PSG to the Club World Cup final.

PSG’s dominance is reflected in the shortlist, with nine of their players among the 30 nominees, including Achraf Hakimi, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, Gianluigi Donnarumma, and Fabian Ruiz. Still, Dembele’s consistency and impact may give him the decisive edge.

Meanwhile, 18-year-old sensation Lamine Yamal remains the brightest young contender. The Barcelona winger, last year’s Kopa Trophy winner, produced 18 goals in 55 matches to help the Catalan giants secure a LaLiga and Copa del Rey double. Despite falling short in the Champions League, his meteoric rise has drawn comparisons with Messi himself.

In the women’s race, Bonmati’s brilliance remains hard to ignore. The Barcelona midfielder, already a two-time winner, was named player of the tournament at the UEFA Women’s Euro, where Spain reached the final before losing to England on penalties. Though Barcelona fell to Arsenal in the Champions League final, Bonmati’s influence keeps her in pole position.

England’s Lionesses present the biggest threat to her crown. Lucy Bronze, Leah Williamson, Alessia Russo, Chloe Kelly, and goalkeeper Hannah Hampton are all on the shortlist, though none has emerged as the clear standout. Bonmati’s teammate Alexia Putellas, also a former two-time winner, remains in the frame.

The Ballon d’Or winners will be chosen by a panel of journalists; 100 representatives for the men’s award and 50 for the women’s. The results will be revealed on Monday night, marking the latest chapter in football’s most celebrated individual honour.

Dembele, Bonmati Lead Ballon d’Or Race Ahead of Paris Ceremony

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