Inside the 2025 Ballon d’Or Race: Nominees, Favorites & Odds Explained

The Ballon d’Or 2025 delivered plenty of drama as Paris Saint-Germain’s Ousmane Dembele lifted football’s most prestigious individual trophy, while Aitana Bonmati clinched her third consecutive women’s award. The event capped an extraordinary year where individual brilliance aligned with team triumphs on the biggest stages.

But how did Dembele edge out the competition? Who were the favorites, and how did stats and performances compare across nominees? Let’s break down the full race.

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Key Takeaways

• Ousmane Dembele won the Ballon d’Or 2025, guiding PSG to their first-ever Champions League crown.

• Aitana Bonmati secured the Women’s Ballon d’Or for the third year in a row, underlining her dominance in global football.

• Lamine Yamal won the Kopa Trophy for best young male player, while Gianluigi Donnarumma took home the Yashin Trophy.

• Stats and goal contributions played a huge role, with Dembele’s 35 goals in all competitions standing out.

• The ceremony reinforced PSG’s growing influence and Barcelona’s continued presence in elite football.

Ballon d’Or 2025 Men’s Race

Ousmane Dembele – The Winner

Dembele’s conversion into a centre-forward after Mbappe’s move to Real Madrid proved decisive. Under coach Luis Enrique, he thrived in front of goal, scoring 35 times across all competitions, including crucial strikes in PSG’s domestic double and the Champions League final, where they defeated Inter Milan 5–0.

His blend of pace, precision, and consistency made him the standout performer, ending PSG’s long wait for Champions League glory and securing his personal place in history.

Other Top Nominees

• Lamine Yamal (Barcelona) – At just 18, Yamal’s dazzling performances lit up La Liga and the Champions League, earning him second place in the voting and the Kopa Trophy.
• Rodri (Manchester City) – Last year’s winner had another strong campaign but fell short compared to Dembele’s historic season.
• Vinicius Jr. (Real Madrid) – Continued to deliver in La Liga, though without the Champions League success, his case weakened.

Ballon d’Or 2025 Women’s Race

Aitana Bonmati – Three in a Row

Spain and Barcelona midfielder Aitana Bonmati cemented her legacy with a third consecutive win. Despite Spain’s defeat to England in the Euro 2025 final, her control of midfield, creativity, and consistency across competitions once again made her the world’s best.

She edged out teammate Mariona Caldentey, showing how Barcelona remains the benchmark in women’s football.

Other Award Winners

• Kopa Trophy – Lamine Yamal (Barcelona), highlighting the future of football.
• Yashin Trophy – Gianluigi Donnarumma, who later moved from PSG to Manchester City.
• Best Women’s Goalkeeper – Hannah Hampton (England).
• Best Coaches – Luis Enrique (PSG) and Sarina Wiegman (England).

Ballon d’Or 2025 Stats Comparison

• Dembele: 35 goals, 12 assists, Champions League + Ligue 1 titles.
• Yamal: 15 goals, 20 assists, rising star with technical brilliance.
• Rodri: Key midfield anchor, but lacked headline goal contributions.
• Bonmati: 10 goals, 18 assists, Euro 2025 finalist, La Liga dominance.

Numbers played a huge role, especially Dembele’s prolific scoring record, which outshone even more established names.

Best Goals of Ballon d’Or 2025 Nominees

Among the standout highlights:

• Dembele’s brace in the Champions League final.
• Yamal’s curling strike from distance in El Clásico.
• Bonmati’s decisive goal at Euro 2025 group stage against Germany.

These moments resonated with fans and helped shape the narrative that led to the final votes.

Ballon d’Or Odds and Favorites

Ahead of the ceremony, bookmakers had Dembele and Yamal as joint favorites, with odds leaning toward PSG’s talisman after the Champions League victory. On the women’s side, Bonmati was always the overwhelming favorite, making her third win unsurprising.

Final Thoughts

The Ballon d’Or 2025 highlighted a generational shift. Dembele’s rise as a centre-forward broke the Messi–Ronaldo–Rodri cycle, while Bonmati continued her reign as the undisputed queen of women’s football.

With Yamal emerging as a future superstar and Bonmati pushing boundaries in women’s football, the 2025 ceremony underscored both the present excellence and the future promise of the game.

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FAQs

Who won the Ballon d’Or 2025?

Ousmane Dembele won the men’s award, while Aitana Bonmati secured her third consecutive women’s trophy.

How many goals did Ousmane Dembele score in 2025?

He scored 35 goals across all competitions, guiding PSG to the Champions League and Ligue 1 titles.

Who won the Kopa Trophy in 2025?

Barcelona’s Lamine Yamal won the Kopa Trophy for the best young male player.

How many Ballon d’Or titles does Aitana Bonmati have?

As of 2025, Aitana Bonmati has won the Ballon d’Or three times consecutively.

Who were the main Ballon d’Or 2025 favorites?

Dembele and Yamal were the leading favorites in the men’s category, while Bonmati was the clear favorite in the women’s race.