This Monday, September 22, the Ballon d’Or, the prestigious ‘France Football’ award, is presented.
Let’s review who the favourites are for the men’s trophy:
Harry Kane (Bayern Munich)
📸 Maja Hitij – 2025 Getty Images
The Englishman finally got to taste metal by winning the Bundesliga. At 32, he won the trophy for the top scorer in the German league, including three ‘hat-tricks’. He ultimately lost the ‘Golden Boot’, but his 41 goals and 12 assists with Bayern put him in contention to lift his first ‘Ballon d’Or’.
Kylian Mbappé (Real Madrid)
📸 OSCAR DEL POZO – AFP or Licensors
The Frenchman didn’t start his season at Real Madrid very well, but he did end it by scoring many goals, a total of 44 in 59 matches. He was the ‘Golden Boot’ surpassing Robert Lewandowski in Spain and Harry Kane on the European scene.
Lamine Yamal (FC Barcelona)
📸 JAIME REINA – AFP or licensors
For many, the winner. The Barcelona winger shone at just 17 years old and left all of Europe in awe. The Mataró native won the treble in Spain by winning La Liga, the Copa del Rey, and the Spanish Super Cup with 18 goals and 21 assists in 55 matches. He was in the ‘XI of the Season’ in the Champions League and in La Liga.
Mohamed Salah (Liverpool FC)
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He is the player who contributed the most in goals or goal creation in all of Europe. He did it with 34 goals and 23 assists to lead a Liverpool that won the Premier League. The Egyptian participated in 47 goals in the Premier League (29 goals and 18 assists) equaling the record for the most in the history of the English competition. On the other hand, he was named ‘Player of the Year’ in the Premier at the age of 33.
Ousmane Dembelé (PSG)
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PSG was one game away from winning everything at the world level (they lost the Club World Cup final to Chelsea), but that does not take away the merit of lifting Ligue 1, the Coupe de France, the French Super Cup, and the first Champions League in their history. Ousmane Dembelé was one of the most outstanding of PSG participating in 49 goals in total with 35 goals and 14 assists. He was the top scorer in Ligue 1, the player of the year, and appeared in the XI of the season both in France and in the Champions League.
Raphinha (FC Barcelona)
📸 LLUIS GENE – AFP or Licensors
Raphinha was the second player with the most goal contributions in the major European leagues with 56 goals, which include 34 goals and 22 assists. He was the ‘Best Player of the Season’ in La Liga and won the treble in Spain with the Copa del Rey, Super Cup, and League. He also finished as the top scorer in the Champions League scoring 13 goals in 14 matches and including a ‘hat-trick’ against Bayern Munich and a legendary display against Benfica in Da Luz.
Vitinha (PSG)
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The Portuguese midfielder was one of the leaders of Luis Enrique’s PSG, who won everything in France, lifted the Champions League, and were finalists in the Club World Cup. In addition, he led his national team, Portugal, to lift the Nations League after beating Spain.
And the favourites for the Women’s Ballon d’Or?
Aitana Bonmatí (FC Barcelona)
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The Spaniard could win the Ballon d’Or for the third consecutive time. She is one of the best players in the world and was a finalist in the European Championship, a EURO where she ended up being key despite her initial meningitis.
Alessia Russo (Arsenal FC)
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The ‘gunner’ footballer has led the attack for Arsenal, with whom she was crowned Champions League champion, and England, with whom she was crowned EURO champion. In addition, she was the top scorer in the English women’s Super League and scored in the EURO final against Spain.
Alexia Putellas (FC Barcelona)
📸 SEBASTIEN BOZON – AFP or Licensors
The Spaniard also wants her third Ballon d’Or. Of the favourites, she has contributed the most in goals with 16 goals and 11 assists. Despite her great quality and being confirmed as one of the best players in the world, she did not win the Champions League with Barcelona and lost the EURO final with Spain, which could have helped her win the award.
Claudia Pina (FC Barcelona)
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Claudia shone with Barcelona, with whom she managed to be the top scorer in the Women’s Champions League. At 24 years old, she scored 24 goals between her club and the national team, something spectacular.
Lucy Bronze (Chelsea)
📸 FABRICE COFFRINI – AFP or Licensors
Lucy won the English women’s Super League, the FA Cup, and the League Cup, that is, the national treble. In addition, at 33, she won the European Championship with the pain of a tibia fracture and was important scoring a penalty in the quarterfinals against Sweden.
Mariona Caldentey (Arsenal FC)
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Mariona signed for Arsenal last season and, in her first year, won the Champions League. In addition, she was named ‘Player of the Year’ in the English Women’s SuperLeague. On the other hand, she was important with Spain in the EURO and even scored a goal in the final, but it was a goal that in the end did not give ‘La Roja’ the title against England.
Fuente: https://onefootball.com/en/news/who-are-the-favourites-for-the-ballon-dor-the-leading-names-41699728