Jose Mourinho has joined the leagues of football experts to share their thought on who should be crowned the Ballon d’Or winner in 2025.
After scoring 35 goals and providing 16 assists in 53 games for PSG last season, Ousmane Dembele is widely seen as the favourite for the prestigious individual award.
However, the Frenchman will be facing a stiff competition from Barcelona’s top star, 18-year-old Spanish Lamine Yamal and Brazilian winger Raphinha.
Both players were instrumental for Barcelona as they won both La Liga and the Copa del Rey. But, Hansi Flick’s men fell short in Europe, losing a thrilling Champions League semi-final to Inter Milan.
Despite both players tipped to be on the podium during the award show, Mourinho does not believe either deserve to win the Ballon d’Or.
José Mourinho looks on during the Super Lig match between Galatasaray and Fenerbahce. (Photo by Ulrik Pedersen/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
In an interview with Canal 11, the Portuguese manager said he believed that the award must be given to a player who won the Champions League, ruling Yamal out of contention.
Mourinho said: “Football, as much as we all want to make players special people, coaches special people, for me, it remains about the team.
“And for me, any individual trophy must always have a direct connection to titles.”
Instead of backing Dembele for the award, he believes either Nuno Mendes or Vitinha deserve to win it.
He said: “I love them both; I can’t tell the difference.
“The only thing I’d say is that there’s still a small group of good midfielders there, and now full-backs like that
“I’d like one of them to win, obviously, but then Jorge Mendes will get mad at me because he only thinks Yamal, his player, should win.”
This year’s Ballon d’Or ceremony is scheduled for 22nd September in Paris and all eyes will be on the eventual winner.
