Paris Saint-Germain winger Ousmane Dembele is being tipped to beat Barcelona prodigy Lamine Yamal to the men’s Ballon d’Or when the award is handed out Monday in Paris.
The Théâtre du Châtelet will once again host football’s biggest stars as they await the latest winners of the game’s most prestigious individual prize. For more than a decade, Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo dominated the honor, winning it 13 times between 2008 and 2023. That era ended last year when Manchester City’s Rodri lifted the trophy after captaining Spain to Euro 2024 success.
With Rodri out of contention following an injury-hit season, Dembele has emerged as the frontrunner among a field heavy with PSG talent. Nine players from the club’s Champions League-winning squad, including Gianluigi Donnarumma, Achraf Hakimi, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, and Nuno Mendes, made the 30-man shortlist.
On the women’s side, Aitana Bonmatí is chasing a third consecutive title, though competition is expected to be fierce.
