Ballon d'Or 2025: 3 Players Who Could Win Top Award Besides Ousmane Dembele and Lamine Yamal
- Kylian Mbappé will still back himself to win the 2025 Ballon d'Or, even though Lamine Yamal and Ousmane Dembélé are the frontrunners.
- The former Paris Saint-Germain star scored an impressive 44 goals across all competitions in his debut season with Real Madrid
- Barcelona wonderkid Lamine Yamal and Dembélé currently lead the race for this year’s prestigious award
Thirty nominees remain in contention for football’s most prestigious individual honour as the 2025 Ballon d'Or gala nears.
While much of the attention is on headline names like Ousmane Dembélé of PSG and Barcelona's rising star Lamine Yamal, the race is far from over. Several other standout performers, including Kylian Mbappé, could still make a strong case for the award.
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With the Ballon d'Or 2025 race heating up, the battle between Yamal and Dembélé continues to dominate headlines. Still, Mbappé’s chances shouldn’t be overlooked as he eyes another shot at the Ballon d'Or.
Three such players, Raphinha, Vitinha, and Kylian Mbappé, have been in sensational form over the past year and are looking strong contenders for the Ballon d'Or.
1. Raphinha (Barcelona)
Raphinha’s rise at Barcelona has been nothing short of impressive. The Brazilian winger has made a massive impact since his transfer from Leeds United, contributing crucial goals and assists.
According to Transfermarkt, Raphinha's stats last season were 34 goals and 25 assists in 57 games across all competitions for FC Barcelona.
What sets the Brazilian apart is his consistency. Whether it’s his eye for a decisive pass or his ability to score stunning goals from wide positions, Raphinha, who recently opened up about his Barcelona future, has been pivotal to Barcelona’s attack.
His chemistry with Robert Lewandowski and Lamine Yamal has taken Barcelona’s offensive play to the next level, making him one of the most dangerous wingers in European football.
Source: Getty Images
2. Vitinha (PSG)
Vitinha has cemented his place as a central figure in PSG’s midfield, admired for his composure on the ball, precise passing, and ability to dictate the game’s tempo.
In the 2024/25 season, he featured in 59 matches and scored 8 goals, playing a pivotal role in a campaign that saw the French giants lift four trophies.
What sets Vitinha apart as a potential Ballon d'Or contender is his complete skill set and consistent influence across competitions. While the fierce competition makes his chances of winning the award slim, the Portuguese midfielder would no doubt back himself to be in the conversation.
3. Kylian Mbappé (PSG)
No Ballon d'Or shortlist feels complete without Kylian Mbappé, who will wear the No. 10 shirt this season. The French forward has already collected a host of accolades and remains firmly established as one of the world’s elite players.
Despite Real Madrid falling short in the major competitions last season, they still secured the Intercontinental Cup and UEFA Super Cup, according to Wikipedia.
Mbappé led the line brilliantly, finishing as the club’s top scorer with 44 goals in all competitions, including 31 in La Liga. He also chipped in with 2 goals in 4 appearances for France in 2025.
While the competition for the Ballon d'Or is fierce, Mbappé’s trademark consistency, prolific form, and the possibility of further individual and team honours could give him the edge in this year’s race.
Why Dembele deserves Ballon d'Or
YEN.com.gh earlier covered 3 reasons Ousmane Dembele of Paris Saint-Germain would be a deserving winner of the 2025 Ballon d'Or.
The former Borussia Dortmund winger is tipped by fans and pundits to clinch this year's top honour because of his remarkable 2024/25 form that saw him notch up 35 goals and 16 assists.
Source: YEN.com.gh
