Salah, Mbappé, Yamal or Dembélé: Who Truly Deserves the Ballon d’Or 2025

Ballon d’Or 2025: The Debate That Splits Football

The race for the Ballon d’Or 2025 is shaping up to be the most divisive in recent memory. Fans are clashing on social media, pundits are split on television panels, and the football world is asking the burning question: who truly deserves football’s most prestigious individual prize?

Should the crown go to Mohamed Salah, Liverpool’s talisman whose consistency is unmatched? Or does Kylian Mbappé, Paris’ golden son now dazzling in Madrid, finally claim the throne he has been promised for years? Then there’s Lamine Yamal, Barcelona’s teenage phenomenon breaking records weekly, and Ousmane Dembélé, who has silenced critics with a renaissance few saw coming.

Unlike past editions, this year is not about who will win — it’s about who should win.

Salah and the Case for Experience

Mohamed Salah has been carrying Liverpool on his shoulders for almost a decade, and in 2025 he still refuses to fade. At 33, he has scored 28 goals and 14 assists across all competitions this season (source: UEFA stats), keeping Liverpool alive in the Champions League against Europe’s giants.

Critics argue Salah’s prime has passed, but his performances suggest otherwise. Awarding him the Ballon d’Or 2025 would not just recognise statistics but reward loyalty, professionalism, and endurance. After all, Luka Modrić won the award in 2018 at 33 — proving age can be a badge of honour, not a barrier.

Mbappé: The Star Who Refuses to Wait

For years, Kylian Mbappé has lived in the shadow of Ballon d’Or giants like Messi and Ronaldo. Despite World Cup glory in 2018 and countless Ligue 1 titles, the golden trophy has evaded him. Now at Real Madrid, Mbappé has hit another level. His 31 goals in La Liga this season (source: La Liga official site) have Madrid flying at the top.

Supporters believe 2025 is finally his year. But critics point out that Mbappé’s brilliance often shines in moments, not as a season-long anchor. If the Ballon d’Or is meant for the player who carried their team most, does Mbappé truly fit the bill?

(Also read: Arsenal vs Manchester City ends in a thrilling draw).

Lamine Yamal: The Teenage Prodigy

At just 18, Lamine Yamal is rewriting football history. Already the youngest to score in a Champions League knockout game and the youngest to represent Spain at a major tournament, his rise has been meteoric.

Barcelona fans hail him as the new Messi, and his numbers back it up: 19 goals and 20 assists in 2025 (source: La Liga). But is one breakout season enough? Past winners like Messi, Ronaldo, and Modrić built consistency across years. Giving Yamal the Ballon d’Or 2025 would be revolutionary — making him the youngest ever winner — but it would also challenge the tradition of rewarding sustained dominance.

(Check out our coverage: Rashford linked with Barcelona and Newcastle).

Dembélé’s Redemption Arc

Few stories in football are as remarkable as Ousmane Dembélé’s comeback. Once written off as injury-prone and inconsistent, in 2025 he has become PSG’s creative heartbeat. His assists, dribbling, and sheer flair have put him back among Europe’s elite.

A Ballon d’Or victory for Dembélé would symbolise redemption — a player who fought back against criticism and reinvented himself at the highest level. But detractors argue his peak came too late, making him an outsider compared to Salah and Mbappé.

Ballon d’Or 2025: A Clash of Eras

• Salah embodies experience and longevity.
• Mbappé represents a superstar demanding his crown.
• Yamal is the fearless face of football’s future.
• Dembélé stands for resilience and redemption.

The Ballon d’Or 2025 is not just a trophy. It’s a defining moment in football’s timeline — a clash between past, present, and future.

Fans, Controversy and Social Media Wars

Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok are ablaze with arguments. Salah loyalists insist his consistency deserves recognition. Mbappé fans argue that anything less than a win is robbery. Barcelona supporters are pushing Yamal as the heir to Messi, while Dembélé’s underdog story is rallying neutrals.

According to a fan poll by ESPN, 38% favour Mbappé, 27% Salah, 22% Yamal, and 13% Dembélé — showing just how split opinion really is. But isn’t controversy exactly what keeps the Ballon d’Or alive?

Conclusion: Who Should Wear the Crown?

So, who should wear football’s most glamorous crown? There’s no consensus — and maybe that’s the beauty of it. Each contender has a case strong enough to win, and whichever way it goes, millions will feel their favourite was robbed.

One thing is certain: the Ballon d’Or 2025 will not only define an era but ignite arguments for years to come. And as history shows — from Modrić in 2018 to Messi’s record eight wins — the debates after the ceremony are often louder than the award itself.

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