Lamine Yamal has been backed to claim the 2025 Ballon d’Or honours ahead of Champions League-winning Paris Saint-Germain star Ousmane Dembele.
The 2025 Ballon d’Or award will be one of the toughest to decide in recent years with various players putting in impressive performance during the course of the season.
Mohamed Salah enjoyed another record-setting campaign at Premier League champions Liverpool, while World Cup winner Dembele registered 33 goals for treble-winning Paris Saint-Germain as they tasted European Cup success for the first time.
Ousmane Dembele of Paris Saint Germain is also leading the race to win the Ballon d’Or (Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty Images)
Brazil international Raphinha also enjoyed a stunning season with Barca, as they won three trophies of their own, while Yamal continued his impressive form at just 17 years of age.
Speaking on who should be recognised as the best player when the award ceremony comes up, Barcelona midfielder Gavi believes Yamal deserves the recognition.
He told Tot Costa on Catalunya Radio: “Dembele has had an incredible season and should be in the top three for sure, but what Lamine has done this season is exceptional, a unique player.”
Yamal posted 14 goals and 16 assists for La Liga title holders Barca in 2024-25. He has since agreed a new contract, which can be signed when he turns 18 in July, and the future looks bright for the Blaugrana.
Gavi admits much, saying when asked what Barca need to do in the summer transfer window: “We have a great team and we don’t need many signings, really. Bringing in one or two will depend on the performances. We’ll see. Maybe we could bring someone up top, but that’s Deco’s job.”
The 2025 Ballon d’Or will be handed out at Theatre du Chatelet in central Paris on September 22.
