Manchester City midfielder and current Ballon d’Or winner Rodri has offered his opinion on who might take the coveted award home in 2025. Interviewed by the media on Sunday, the Spanish international described Barcelona pair Lamine Yamal and Pedri, and Paris Saint-Germain stars Ousmane Dembele and Vitinha, as his first four picks.
“The Ballon d’Or is always difficult. PSG has been the team of the season, and it would be hard not to give it to someone from that team. I’d like to see Lamine or Pedri win it for my affinity with them, but on sporting merit, Dembele or Vitinha,” Rodri said, as quoted by Goal.com.
The Stage Is Set for Paris
The 69th Ballon d’Or will take place on September 22, 2025, at the legendary Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris, France. It is an annual award handed out by France Football since 1956 that is the peak of personal achievement for football in the world, honoring great performances within a season. Both UEFA and Groupe Amaury have jointly organized the event since 2024, making it even more magnificent in scale.
Dembele vs Yamal: The Numbers Game
The 2024–25 campaign has brought outstanding performances from the seasoned stars and young newcomers alike. PSG striker Ousmane Dembele has been on fire, scoring 34 goals in 51 games in all competitions. Conversely, 17-year-old Lamine Yamal has been Barcelona’s brightest up-and-coming star, tallying 18 goals in 55 games, with also impressing fans with his innovation and maturity above his years.
Rodri’s inclusion of Pedri, known for his midfield vision, and Vitinha, PSG’s midfield engine, further highlights the balance between experience and emerging brilliance in this year’s race.
Current Complete List of Nominees for Ballon d’Or
The 30-member shortlist for the Men’s Ballon d’Or comprises stars like Erling Haaland (Manchester City), Kylian Mbappe (Real Madrid), Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid), Mohamed Salah (Liverpool), and Vinicius Jr (Real Madrid). PSG has a stranglehold on the nominations with some players in the form of Dembele, Donnarumma, Hakimi, Mendes, and newcomer Desire Doue.
